How Do You File a Claim for a Fire Caused By a Defective Product?

Fires are among several potential safety risks associated with various types of defective products. If you or a loved one was badly burned in a fire involving a defective product, you may be entitled to financial compensation under Florida law. Filing a claim starts with hiring an experienced Florida product liability attorney who can prove that the product was defective.

Fires involving defective products are alarmingly common. From appliances to personal electronics, and from yard equipment to vehicle components, numerous types of products have the potential to catch fire due to defects and cause serious or life-threatening injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered severe burns caused by a defective product, you should speak with an experienced Florida product liability attorney about your legal rights. Product manufacturers can be held liable when defects lead to severe burns—and, for victims and their families, seeking just compensation can be a critical step in the recovery process.

Filing a Claim for a Fire Caused By a Defective Product in Florida

Filing a claim for a fire caused by a defective product starts with proving that the product was defective. While fires often indicate product defects, the fact that a product caught fire does not necessarily mean a defect was to blame.

When facing substantial liability, product manufacturers (and their insurance companies) will fight victims’ and families’ claims by all means available. As a result, if victims or family members are not prepared to affirmatively demonstrate that the product at issue was defective, they won’t be able to recover the financial compensation they deserve.

Generally speaking, proving that a product was defective involves:

• Hiring an expert to examine the product (or any remnants of the fire)
• Hiring an expert to examine similar products from the same manufacturer
• Identifying a specific flaw that qualifies as a “defect” under Florida law
• Preparing an expert report that illustrates the defect and how it caused the fire
• Presenting the available evidence to the manufacturer’s insurance company (or in court if necessary)

Investigating a fire involving a defective product takes time, and it is important to start investigating as soon after the fire as possible. In many cases, proving liability will involve obtaining internal documents from the manufacturer as well. All of these are important reasons to promptly hire an experienced Florida product liability attorney.

Victims and Their Families Should Also Start Documenting Their Losses from the Fire

While proving that a product was defective requires legal knowledge and subject-matter expertise, victims and their families can (and should) start documenting their losses on their own. It will ultimately be important to work with an attorney here as well; but, to get started, victims and their families can collect documentation such as:

• Proof of purchase, the product’s packaging and any remnants
• Photos and videos of the product before, during, or after the fire
• Medical records for burn treatment and recovery
• Employment records documenting any time missed from work
• A personal injury journal (or “pain journal”) documenting the effects of the fire

In product liability cases, victims and their families are entitled to just compensation for all of their financial and non-financial losses resulting from the product’s failure. In cases involving fires and severe burns, these losses can be substantial, and this makes it critical for victims and families to ensure that they are seeking the full compensation they deserve.

What to Expect Once You Hire a Product Liability Attorney to Represent You

Due to the complexity of product liability cases, hiring an experienced attorney is essential. Here is what you can expect once you hire an experienced Florida product liability attorney to represent you:

• A Detailed Investigation of Your Case – Your attorney will conduct a detailed investigation of your case. Among other things, this will include hiring an expert to assess and document the product’s defectiveness.
• A Thorough Assessment of the Value of Your Claim – Your attorney will thoroughly assess the financial and non-financial losses you are entitled to recover. Your attorney will then help you make an informed decision about how much compensation to seek in your case.
• Direct Representation in Insurance Negotiations and at Trial (if Necessary) – Your attorney will work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If a fair settlement isn’t on the table, your attorney will take your case to trial.

FAQs: Product Defect Claims Involving Burn Injuries

Can I file a lawsuit if I was burned when a product caught fire?

While there is a good chance that you will be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in this scenario, your legal rights depend on the specific circumstances involved. With this in mind, you should hire an experienced product liability attorney to assess your legal rights as soon as possible.

What if the product that burned me wasn’t defective?

If the product that burned you wasn’t legally defective, you may still be able to pursue a claim against the manufacturer (or another party) on other grounds. Here too, assessing your legal rights requires experienced legal representation.

How long do you have to file a product liability claim in Florida?

How long you have to file a product liability claim in Florida depends on the specific grounds for your lawsuit. While the statute of limitations is likely to be either two or four years from the date of the accident, it is important that you hire an attorney to get started on your case as soon as possible.

Request a Free Consultation with a Florida Product Liability Attorney at Searcy Denney

If you need more information about filing a claim for a fire caused by a defective product in Florida, we encourage you to contact us promptly to discuss your case in confidence. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Florida product liability attorney at Searcy Denney, call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online now.