Residential Fires and Space Heaters
On cool days and cold nights, a space heater can make rooms far more comfortable. Of course, there are dangers involved. Many tragic fires have occurred because of the use of space heaters. You needn’t be in the chilly midwest or east coast for these kinds of issues either. Attorneys Sean M. Burke and Jason N. Argos have heard of house fires in Irvine, CA related to the use of space heaters. In some instances, it’s advisable to speak with a personal injury attorney about the incident.
Let’s take a moment to explore the dangers of space heaters, why they can cause fires, and whether or not you have a case worth pursuing.
The Dangers of Space Heaters
According to data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters are the cause of 43 percent of home heating fires every year. What’s more, space heaters cause 85 percent of fatalities when it comes to home heating fires.
Why Space Heater Fires Happen
The biggest danger of space heaters is when they are placed too close to flammable objects or materials. That includes being too close to beds, couches, drapes, and other sorts of furniture.
In some instances, the timer built into the space heater malfunctions. This could increase the risk of a fire due to the excessive heat for a prolonged amount of time other than a brief/pre-set amount.
Potential Harm from Space Heater Fires
Given the statistics we shared above, the harm from a space heater fire could be fatal. Even if you survive a space heater fire, the burn injuries and respiratory damage sustained could be extensive, requiring major medical care and surgery. You could lose your home in these kinds of incidents, as well as any valuables within.
Who May Be Liable for a Space Heater Fire?
Our Irvine lawyers want to note that product flaws and defects could play a part in space heater fires. In such cases, the makers of the space heater may be liable for the fire happening.
For instance, a company may have poorly designed their space heater, with a much higher heat output that anticipated. This could result in fires despite the heater being a safe distance away from flammable objects. We mentioned the faulty timer on a space heater above, which is one of many safety features that could malfunction with the heater. Even a problem with the instructions for a space heater could be the cause of serious harm.
How Our Lawyers Can Help You
Following your tragic incident, it’s important to speak with us about what happened. Going over the evidence in your case, we can determine if you have a product liability, burn injury, or personal injury lawsuit worth pursuing. We can help negotiate a settlement with the negligent party to address the hardships you’ve faced, and can even take the case all the way to trial to seek damages.
Contact the Law Firm of Burke Argos
If you live in Irvine and want more information about your legal options after serious damage from a space heater, be sure to contact our team of injury accident attorneys. The law firm of Burke Argos can be reached by phone at (949) 438-4416.
