Category Archives: Product Liability

California Family’s Home Burns Down Due to Tesla Fire in Garage

A series of high-profile lawsuits involving well-known electric vehicle manufacturers Audi, Tesla, and Chevrolet has brought into question the companies’ claims that their cars are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles. 

Safety experts warn that although electric vehicles may not catch fire as easily, any fire that does erupt can burn more intensely and take as long as 24 hours to extinguish.

One of the most recent large-scale fires involved two Teslas left to charge overnight in a garage. The Californian couple who owned the vehicles awoke early one morning last December to the sound of blaring car alarms. They smelled smoke; there was a fire in the house. The fire had started in one Tesla Model S and spread quickly to the other. The vehicles’ lithium-ion batteries amplified the blaze, making the fire burn longer and hotter than a gas-fueled explosion would have. 

The couple has not been able to return to their home, which suffered more than $1 million in damages.

The double-vehicle fire makes this a unique case, but it’s only the latest in a string of recent incidents involving electric vehicles bursting into flames. Electric vehicle manufacturers are warning owners not to leave their cars charging unattended in certain circumstances or leaving them fully charged in garages. General Motors, Audi, and Hyundai have recalled hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles following reports of battery fires.

Electric vehicle fires are deadly and have already claimed the lives of dozens of Americans. If you were injured or a loved one killed in an electric vehicle fire, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for damages. 

Ernst Law Group is a California law firm specializing in product liability. We’ll help you hold the manufacturer accountable for producing and distributing unsafe or defective vehicles. If you’ve suffered any damages from a Tesla, contact our Tesla defect and Tesla autopilot crash lawyers today for a free consultation. 

When a consumer purchases a product for themselves or someone else, they have the right to expect that the product, when used appropriately, won’t pose a danger. Unfortunately, people are harmed by defective products everyday.
When manufacturers are made aware of these defects, they typically issue a recall of the product. Here are some of the most recent recalls you should be aware of.

Paw Patrol Marshall Hat

Although Halloween is over, the popularity of Paw Patrol may influence little ones to still be wearing part of their costume. The Marshall Hat, sold as part of Spirit Halloween’s costume, also included a flashlight. This flashlight has a piece causing a problem. The batteries in the flashlight can overheat, causing a burn hazard. Any of the approximately 20,000 consumers who purchased the product are entitled to a refund and can call (866) 586-0155 for more information.

Vornado Air Space Heaters

Certain electric space heaters have been recalled due to the potential for overheating, which can lead to fire. About 350,000 of these heaters were sold throughout the country, and consumers should cease use immediately. The company is offering a full refund or replacement, asking consumers to contact (855) 215-5131 for more information and instructions.

Scotch Thermal Laminators

Loved by teachers, parents and crafters alike, this popular little laminator typically has no issue. Unfortunately, 3M has had to issue a recall of approximately 395,000 units. This recall is due to overheating in the plastic casing posing a burn hazard. If you have purchased one of these laminators, call (800) 772-4337 for a full refund.

Polaris RZR XP 1000 ROV

Smaller, off-road vehicles are popular, and Polaris is one of the top manufacturers of these machines. There were about 107,000 RZR XP 1000s sold, and they have been recalled. Anyone who purchased or has one of these vehicles should contact their Polaris dealer to schedule a free repair of the exhaust silencer to prevent a fire.

H-E-B Halogen Lightbulbs

There are about 2.5 million of these lightbulbs that have been purchased. Anyone who is using one or more should cease that use and return the bulb(s) to H-E-B for a full refund. The bulbs are known to have an issue that may cause them to shatter when in use. Call (800) 432-3113 for more information.

Kidde Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm

We purchase smoke alarms to keep our families safe. If you have purchased a dual smoke alarm from Kidde, you need to look at it closely. If you look inside the unit and see a yellow cap, that cap could prevent the detector from working properly. You can call (833) 551-7739 for more information about the model numbers affected and learn how to obtain a replacement.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product in San Luis Obispo, you have legal rights. Reach out to our team today to discover more about your options, and let us help you hold the negligent party responsible. We will speak to you at no cost and help you make the best decisions regarding your case.