Common Household Products That May Cause Serious Injury – And Who’s Liable
Most people think of their homes as safe havens—but the reality is that some everyday household products can pose serious safety risks. From cleaning agents to appliances and children’s toys, a surprising number of products have the potential to cause burns, poisoning, lacerations, or other severe injuries. At Mainor Ellis, our Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorneys help victims of defective or dangerous products understand their legal rights and pursue compensation when manufacturers, retailers, or others are liable for their injuries.
Dangerous Household Products You Might Overlook
While nearly any product has the potential to be dangerous if misused, some items commonly found in homes have been the subject of injury lawsuits due to defects, inadequate warnings, or inherently dangerous designs. These include:
- Cleaning products: Bleach, drain cleaners, and ammonia-based products can cause chemical burns or respiratory damage if misused—or if packaging fails to adequately warn users about dangers, especially to children.
- Space heaters and electric blankets: These products are common causes of house fires and burn injuries, particularly if they overheat, short-circuit, or lack automatic shutoff features.
- Kitchen appliances: Pressure cookers, blenders, and microwaves have caused injuries due to exploding parts, sharp blades, or electrical malfunctions.
- Children’s toys and furniture: Small parts that can be swallowed, poorly secured furniture that tips over, or toys containing toxic materials all pose serious risks to children.
- Personal care items: Hair dryers, curling irons, and even talcum powder have been involved in product liability lawsuits due to burns, electrocution, or long-term health consequences.
Who’s Liable for a Household Product Injury?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a household product, you may be entitled to compensation through a product liability lawsuit. These claims typically fall under one of three categories:
- Defective Design: The product was inherently dangerous even when used as intended (e.g., a space heater that overheats easily).
- Manufacturing Defect: The product design was safe, but something went wrong in the manufacturing process (e.g., a blender with a cracked casing that causes electric shock).
- Failure to Warn: The product lacked proper safety instructions or warnings (e.g., a cleaning product that doesn’t warn users to wear gloves or keep away from children).
In Nevada, liability may extend to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or others involved in the product’s chain of distribution. If multiple parties share responsibility, each may be held liable for a portion of the damages.
What Compensation Is Available?
Injured victims may be eligible to recover damages including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- In some cases, punitive damages
To succeed in a product liability case, it’s important to preserve the product that caused the injury, obtain medical records, and consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Mainor Ellis Is Here to Help
If you’ve been injured by a dangerous household product in Las Vegas, the attorneys at Mainor Ellis are ready to fight for your rights. We’ll investigate the cause of the injury, identify liable parties, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Source:
leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-695E.html
