With the harsh winter weather here in Indianapolis, it’s likely that many of you are reaching for your warming blankets when at home or even sitting in the office. While these heating pads and warming blankets are great for keeping us warm, they can also be extremely dangerous when they are defective or malfunction while in use.
Recently, there are have been many product liability and defective product cases brought out against manufacturers of warming blankets—proving that it is not only possible to be injured by a warming blanket, but it’s possible to be injured so badly that a lawsuit is needed to help pay for medical bills.
The most common type of injury involving warming blankets is severe burns. Often these burns are caused by:
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- Leaving the warming blanket at a high setting for too long
- A defective product where the blanket heats up to a dangerous temperature
- Many blankets have a shut off timer when the blanket gets too hot—if this is damaged or defective it can lead to severe burns
- Falling asleep with the blanket at a dangerous temperature
- Faulty fabrics that do not facilitate the heat on skin correctly
- A faulty blanket causing a fire or fire hazard when turned on
What Can I Do if I’m Injured by a Warming Blanket?
If you or a loved one was injured, or even died, after using a warming blanket, you should hire a product liability attorney as soon as possible to start your case. There are two main reasons that a warming blanket would lead to a lawsuit:
1. Labeling Defect: This occurs when a manufacturer fails to label their product correctly and in turn, leads to injury to the consumer. With warming and electric blankets, this could mean failure to inform consumers of risks and dangers associated with the blankets or failure to let customers know that the blanket should not be left at a high setting for long periods of time.
2. Product Defect: This occurs when there is a defect in the making of the actual product. This could mean any aspect of the blanket not working properly, whether it is the fabrics used, the thermometer settings or the heating element itself. If you suffer an injury because of these defects, you should hold the manufacturer liable for their negligence.
If either of these situations happened to you, an attorney can help you enter into a product liability case, where you can seek compensation for any pain and suffering you experienced due to the defective product. At Stewart & Stewart, we understand how frustrating a case like this can be—you never expect to be hurt or burned by a product only meant to keep you comfortable during colder months. Our team of experienced attorneys is ready to help you hold the negligent manufacturer responsible and get the compensation you deserve after an injury, burn or death. For more information, contact us today at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.