Michigan Personal Injury Blog - Fire

Pennsylvania Jury Orders Lasko Fan Manufacturer to Pay $13.5 Million to Family of Germantown Boy

David Mittleman — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Lasko Products, the largest manufacturer of fans in the U.S., was ordered to pay $13.5 million to the family of a 7-year-old Germantown, Pennsylvania boy who was killed in a 2005 blaze ignited by a faulty fan motor.

According to the family’s attorney, Lasko knew of a defect with the motors of their portable fans in 1999, but failed to alert consumers or the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the problem. Consequently, Joshua Foster died on June 14, 2005, when the fan in his mother’s bedroom caught fire. He was trapped inside the bedroom and suffered thermal burns and smoke inhalation.

After a 13-day trial, jurors awarded Joshua’s mother and $4 million and his sister $2 million for emotional distress, $10,000 for funeral expenses, and $7.5 million to the boy’s estate.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

CPSC Investigates Claims That iPods Contain Lithium-Ion Battery that Bursts Into Flames

David Mittleman — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:53:38 GMT

iPod users beware: the Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating several more complaints from consumers that allege that their iPods, iPod Touches, and iPhones are overheating, and in some cases, bursting into flames.

The CPSC is investigating 18 claims, including:

-In 2002, a 14-year-old Michigan boy’s iPod set off the smoke alarm in the middle of the night

-In 2006, an iPod started smoking while connected to an iPod stereo in Illinois. The iPod got so hot that it burned the stereo.

-While charging, an iPod shot out flames while charging in Washington, D.C.

-An Atlanta man’s shirt was set on fire because of the iPod in his front pocket.

According to consumers, Apple doesn’t seem too concerned about the allegations. In fact, many who have contacted the company claim that Apple simply told them to send back the “defective” iPod with a return shipping charge of $34. In an email statement, an Apple spokesman argued that the incidents have affected less than .0001 percent of all iPods sold and that none of the incidents have caused serious injuries or damages. However, after much persistence, a KIRO 7 (Seattle) reporter finally got the CPSC to release some of its findings from its past investigations of Apple. In fact, this problem isn’t new: the 800-page report indicates that consumers have complained since 2005 about overheating iPods.

Past investigations reveal that the iPods contain a lithium-ion battery that overheats. This isn’t an unfamiliar problem for Apple. In fact, Apple has had issues in the past with their lithium-ion batteries overheating in laptop computers. Indeed, in 2006 some consumers complained that their laptops caught fire after overheating. In response, the CPSC recalled millions of lithium-ion batteries from Dell and Apple. In the case of the iPods, the CPSC has not issued a recall. However, it could simply be a matter of time before they are forced to do so.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Girl With Arm Caught in Pool Drain Rescued by Firefighters

David Mittleman — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:52 GMT

Firefighters had to use numerous power tools to rescue a young girl whose arm was caught in a pool drain at a condominium complex in Key Biscane, Florida.

Back in January I wrote about the fact that many pool operators were slow to implement the changes to pool drainage systems mandated by Congress in the Pool and Spa Safety Act. Many of the changes required to public pools included the use of guards to drains, and it seems possible that today's incident could have been avoided by a guard to the pool's skimmer drainage system.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Flint Firefighters Blame Budget Cuts for a Disastrous Fire-Rescue Operation

David Mittleman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Flint is no stranger to strife, both in the past and in the present. How could we forget the impact the closing of the General Motors plants had on the city’s population back in the 80s? In recent years, the economic crisis has had a similar effect with cuts in the firefighting department, including layoffs for 22 firefighters and closures of two fire stations. Three Flint firefighters recently witnessed how devastating of an impact these cutbacks had on the victims of a local house fire, when the three firefighters were forced to fight the fire without adequate help or enough equipment.

Less than 48 hours after the cutbacks, Mark Kovach and two of his colleagues from Station No. 5 responded to a call for a house fire on Bennett Avenue in Flint. Station No. 5 had an idled ladder and water truck due to the cuts, but they were the closest to the inferno. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered a frenzy of people directing them to the second floor, where a 47-year-old man with a heart condition was trapped. They attempted to rescue the man, sans water or ladder, and were greatly unsuccessful—in fact, the man died and the three firefighters had second-degree burns.

Although Flint represents one of the most compelling depictions of the economic crisis and the resulting budget cuts, it is also symbolic of the entire nation’s suffering fire and police departments. The mayor of Flint claims that the fire department cuts had nothing to do with the final outcome of the fire on Bennett Avenue. Instead, he states that the fire was an “unavoidable…perfect storm” that would’ve challenged an even better equipped fire company. So why weren’t the firefighters of Station No. 5 better equipped if that’s the only chance they had to beat the fire and save lives, you may be asking yourself? The mayor might have asked himself the same thing…he has since found funding to re-open Station 5.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

The Rockets' Red Glare, the Bombs Bursting in Air: Remember Firework Safety this Fourth of July

David Mittleman — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:45:22 GMT

As the Fourth of July holiday draws near, we are all excited about the glowing embers: in the sky, on the ground and in our hands. If you haven’t caught on yet, I’m referring to fireworks. Who doesn’t enjoy the festivity, excitement and fun that fireworks bring to the Fourth of July celebration? However, fireworks can cause serious burn or eye injuries if not used appropriately and correctly. In fact, the Center for Disease Control reported that in 2006 eleven people died and 9,200 were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. Moreover, an estimated 5% of fireworks-related injuries required hospitalization.

The most common types of injuries associated with fireworks are injured eyes, hands, head, face, or ears. Burns are the most common injury to all the listed body parts except for the eyes and head area, where serious cuts and bruises on the face and foreign matter in the eyes are more common. Unfortunately, children are at the greatest risk for these injuries: one out of every three people injured in 2006 was under 15 years old. However, males were also three times more likely to sustain injuries than females and young people under twenty sustained 47% of all reported injuries.

Why do so many serious injuries occur? Most of the time it is because of a shear lack of experience, lack of physical coordination (especially in young children), disregard for safety precautions, or dangerous experimentation with fireworks. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers the following safety tips to keep your Fourth of July holiday fun and injury-free:

· Use fireworks outdoors only.

· Obey local laws, if fireworks are not legal where you live, don’t use them.

· Always have water handy.

· Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter or combine them.

· Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak dead fireworks in a bucket of water.

· Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from shooter fireworks and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

· Do not mix alcohol and fireworks—have a “designated” fireworks person.

· Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.

· Do not ever use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives. If you do see someone using them, report them immediately to the local police or fire department. They can kill you!

So, enjoy your holiday and the fireworks, but remember, BE SAFE!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Lansing House Fire Claims Family

Devon Glass — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:36:53 GMT

On June 23, 2009, a Lansing mother and her two children were found in their home by firefighters who responded to neighbor calls about visible flames coming from the house. Although the firfighters were able to contain the fire, all three family members passed away as a result of the fire. At this time, Lansing Police are reporting the incident as suspicious due to prior incidents that occurred in the weeks prior to the fire.

Firefighters had been to the house on June 2 to put out a car fire at the same house. When the fire department arrived, there were two cars on fire and a car port. There were also two home invasions in the month leading up to the deadly fire that police are still investigating. Additionally, there were complaints of vandalism reported to the police.

The family's neighbors had been concerned for a while about the family's safety based upon all of the problems they recently had. Based on the shared concerns of the neighbors, a makeshift neighborhood watch was created to keep an eye on the family to make sure they were safe but unfortunately it did not prevent the deadly blaze from happening.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Smoke Detectors Save Lives

David Mittleman — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:53:00 GMT

As the old saying goes, "where there’s smoke, there’s fire." In the event of a house fire, smoke is often the first warning sign. By the time you see flames, it might be too late to get to safety. That’s why working smoke detectors are perhaps the single most important safety device you can have in your home.

A fatal house fire near Lansing, Michigan, last month is a horrific reminder that the inexpensive and unobtrusive smoke detector can save lives. An early morning fire tore through a Delta Township home, trapping 60-year-old Bill Waldon Jr. in the basement. Authorities estimate that the fire burned for about one hour before the first call to 911. The home did not have any smoke detectors.

Time is critical to surviving a house fire. The more time you have to react, the more likely you are to make it out alive. That’s where smoke detectors come in. They provide an early warning, allowing you to avoid asphyxiating smoke and lung-searing toxic gases. You should have at least one smoke detector on each floor of your house, with special attention to bedroom areas. The vast majority of smoke detectors run on batteries, which should be replaced twice per year.

House fires are terrifying and dangerous, but you can increase your odds of survival by installing smoke detectors in your home. These low-cost lifesavers are an indispensable tool that can keep you and your family safe and healthy.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Mass Lay-offs and the WARN Act - you have a right to notice!

Timothy Smith — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:41:12 GMT

It seems that every week here in Northern Michigan, we're reading about layoffs. People are losing their jobs left and right. Many folks think that just because they are at will employees [they don't have an employment contract] that they have no rights when their employer institutes a massive lay-off.

But you do.

Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, workers have an absolute right to a number of things including 60 days written notice prior to the lay-off. Workers deserve better than a 5pm Friday pink slip and you're out the door before you even know what hit you.

If your employers has more than 100 full time employees, federal law requires them to provide you with written notice, 60 calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass layoffs. This law was put into place to protect workers, their communities and more importantly, their families from the complications caused by a sudden plant closing.

This notice requirement includes not only low-level employees, but managers and supervisors as well - hourly and salaried alike. And, if the employer is running a union plant, notice is required to the employee's representatives, the state dislocated worker unit and the local chief elected official.

This notice gives workers and their families time to transition and adjust to the closing, and time to locate other employment - including the training needed to successfully compete in todays job market.

Times are tough for Michigan workers right now. Don't let your employer make them tougher. If you, your friends or family members are unemployed due to plant closures or lay-offs AND that plant or employer had more than 100 full time employees, AND you didn't get the legally required notice, you should contact an attorney immediately to determine what legal options you may have.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Timothy Smith

Lower than a snake's belly......

Timothy Smith — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:02:06 GMT

Even for insurance companies, this is pretty low. Great American Insurance Company insured a building that caught fire. Three people died in that fire. Suit was filed against the building owner and its insurance company, Great American, has asked the court to dismiss them from the lawsuit claiming the fire didn't kill the three people.

What does Great American claim the cause of their deaths to be???? Are you ready for this....

Great American has argued to the court that the fire didn't cause the deaths. They argue that the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation, not the flame of the fire. And...... since smoke is a pollutant..... and........pollution is specifically excluded under the Great American policy, the insurance company doesn't believe they have to pay. Wow.......

If you are as appalled as I was by this attempt to avoid their responsibilities under the contract of insurance, you can let them know about it. I did by sending an email to this address.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Timothy Smith

Safety Tips For A Happy And Safe Thanksgiving

David Mittleman — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:14:15 GMT

With Thanksgiving only a day away, here are some helpful tips to make sure your turkey is cooked to the correct temperature and that you don't burn down your house in the process.

When selecting a turkey, there is a choice between fresh and frozen. If you choose frozen, please be aware there are some potential food poisoning risks when picking a frozen bird, especially if it is pre-stuffed. Make sure any frozen, pre-stuffed, turkey has a sticker of inspection by the USDA. Also, don't thaw your turkey at room temperature, as this promotes bacterial growth.

With any turkey, either fresh or frozen, it is important to cook it thoroughly to kill any bacteria and avoid food poisoning. Studies have shown an increase in the contamination of turkey with the bacteria Campylobacter, which accounts for nearly half of all food poisoning in the United States. It's also important to make sure to cook the turkey before inserting the stuffing to decrease the risks of food poisoning.

When cooking, make sure to have all pot handles turned away from the edge of the stove to prevent children from grabbing hot pots. Try not to wear any loose clothing, as it can get caught on things or even catch fire. Don't leave your cooking food unattended, it can only take a few minutes for a fire to develop.

If you are going to serve your turkey fried, please be careful of the hot grease so you don't get burned. Don't over fill the fryer; make sure to leave enough room in the fryer to put the turkey inside without spilling hot frying oil. Be careful the oil does not spill and catch fire if it reaches the open flame cooking the turkey.

With these tips in mind, you can reduce the chances of getting food poisoning or causing a fire. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman