$50+ Million Recovered Since 2015
$5.7 Million – Leg Amputation, Construction Accident
$4.9 Million – Amputation, Machine Defect
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Offices in Philadelphia & Conshohocken, PA
Water Heater Injuries, Scald and Burn Risks
Water heaters cause thousands of injuries each year in the U.S. While the majority of these injuries are scald or burn injuries, water heater explosions and fires can occur. In 2016, over 14,000 American Standard brand water heaters (30, 40 and 50 gallon capacity) were recalled due to a fire or explosion risk. The space between the burner flange and combustion chamber allows for contact between flammable liquid/gas and flammable vapor.
Water heater injury cases accepted in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Call for a FREE consultation. (610) 825-0500
Water Heater Injury Lawsuits
The Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette law firm is currently investigating water heater injuries for possible liability claims against multiple parties, including landlords, property owners, installation companies and even product manufacturers.
If you or a loved one suffered injury due to a water heater, please contact our law firm for a free consultation. 610-825-0500
Water Heater Injury Case Result (Oct. 2020)
Delivering Results for Our Clients
No legal fees until we obtain compensation for you.
$7.7 Million
$5.7 Million
$4.9 Million
$3.2 Million
$3 Million
$3 Million
Construction Defect
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Water Heater Injuries – Legal Claims Against Multiple Parties
Individuals injured due to a water heater may have a strong liability claim against multiple parties:
- landlord/property owner,
- installation or plumbing company,
- maintenance company,
- product manufacturer, distributor or retailer.
Negligence Claims & Water Heater Injuries
The defendant in a water heater injury case will depend on how and why the incident occurred. Claims against landlords, property owners, installation companies and maintenance companies often involve negligence during installation, maintenance or inspection of water heaters.
On the other hand, claims against a product manufacturer, distributor or retailer involve defective product claims.
In negligence cases, state, county and municipality laws and regulations will come into play. Under Pennsylvania law, only certain water heaters are required to be inspected annually, i.e., commercial water heaters or those in apartment buildings with more than 4 units.
A large, commercial landlord which failed to get required annual inspections may be liable when a water heater malfunctions resulting in a burn or scald injury to a tenant.
In addition to state rules, local ordinances may apply. For instance, a township ordinance may require permits for installation of water heaters.
A landlord that failed to obtain the proper permit during installation of a water heater may be liable when the water heater causes a scald injury to a young child taking a bath.
Product Liability Claims & Water Heater Injuries
The laws of each state vary, but as a general rule, product liability laws protect consumers from defective products. So, when a defective product causes injury, the product’s manufacturer may be held liable. In addition, any company which distributed or sold the product may also be held liable.
In the case of a defective water heater, the injured party would have to prove one of the following:
- the heater was designed defectively,
- the heater was manufactured defectively, or
- the manufacturer failed to provide sufficient warnings about the heater.
Do You Have a Strong Product Injury Claim Involving a Defective Water Heater?
The success of a product liability lawsuit, like a defective water heater lawsuit, often depends on two key factors.
First, you have to prove the nature of the defect, and in order to do that, the actual product must be preserved for testing by an appropriate expert, such as an engineering expert or mechanical expert. The expert will perform a thorough analysis and testing of the product to determine why and how it failed.
Second, complex product injury cases must be boiled down to a simple liability theory that can be presented to a jury. It’s critical to be represented by a lawyer with sufficient experience handling complex product liability cases.
About Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette
The Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette law firm achieved a Best Law Firm rating by U.S. News & World Report in the areas of medical malpractice law and personal injury law from 2016 until the rating was discontinued in August 2023.
Our lawyers provide personal attention to each client and spare no expense in pursuing legal claims in complex injury cases like product injury cases. We’ve gone up against some of the largest product companies in the U.S. and abroad and won. Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. 610-825-0500
Our Dedicated Attorneys
Choosing the right team is an integral part of ensuring maximum compensation for your personal injury case. The attorneys at Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. are dedicated to garnering favorable results for clients.
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