Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire: The Dangers of Defective Electrical Appliances

According to Houselogic, the online resource in association with the National Association of Realtors®, homeowners are spending more time and money in an effort to remodel their homes. In some cases, however, the remodel may come with increased danger, catching many homeowners rather unaware.

Data concludes that there has been a four percent increase in do-it-tourself (DYI) home remodeling projects with emphasis on:

• Remodeling interiors, exteriors and landscaping;
• Upgrading major kitchen appliances; and
• Adding new home accessories or furniture.

Network programming on various DYI projects may be informative but before beginning any major renovation, case in point, kitchen remodels, planning is key and now required to ensure the safety of all those involved. Recent regulations now require that all electrical work scheduled during a kitchen remodel must be inspected by a licensed electrician as kitchens are regarded as a “special area” due to the dangerous mix of water and possible electrical shock. This requirement covers such updates as:

• Adding new electrical sockets;
• Installing lighting fixtures;
• Adding extractor fans; and
• Proper installation of electrical appliances.

Although many believe that tackling DIY projects will add value to the home, the majority of those polled are completing the projects because they want their home to better reflect their personal style, but at what cost? What if after the remodel, the electrical appliance show signs of defective manufacturing and causes personal injury as well as property damage?

For example, The Expert Institute, an organization dedicated to providing the legal community with a smarter way to identify, verify and retain the best legal witnesses possible, recently posted a case where a 53-year-old male experienced second degree burns on both arms as while he was cooking, his allegedly defective above-range microwave spontaneously turned on and continued to run, resulting in an electrical fire. Although this case was not related to a recent DIY project or improper install, the incident was under investigation as a possible product defect and liability case.

If you believe a defective kitchen appliance derailed your DIY project and resulted in a personal burn injury, the skilled Monterey burn injury attorneys of Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. can help. Our team includes an experienced nurse consultant who will be able to assess the level of your burn injury and in conjunction with our legal team provide both legal and ongoing treatment options. Contact our team at (408) 298-7200 to schedule an initial consultation today.

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