Accidents involving household appliances can result in serious injuries, leading to significant financial and emotional burdens for victims and their families. In the UK, there are legal avenues to seek compensation for such injuries, particularly under product liability laws.
Helen’s story
Our client Helen* was cleaning her power blender, which she had used without incident countless times. In line with the manufacturer’s instructions, she filled the blender with a little warm water and washing up liquid and turned it on. After it had been running for a few seconds, the blender started to make a strange noise so Helen went to switch it off, by turning the cup. Suddenly the cup and blade unit were forcibly ejected from the base of the blender and the blade unit hit Helen’s right hand. It was immediately obvious that she had suffered significant laceration injuries to her hand.
Helen was left shocked and frightened by her injury, and she was bleeding profusely. She was alone at home so had to seek help from a neighbour and an ambulance was called. She was taken to hospital for further treatment, which included surgery under general anaesthetic to repair severed tendons in her hand. Helen had to wear a plaster cast and have numerous wound dressing changes as she recovered, as well as six months of physiotherapy treatment. It was particularly difficult for her as she had to cope alone as at the time various restrictions were in place due to the Covid pandemic. In addition, the injury to her hand and its effects on her ability to work and live independently affected Helen’s mental health significantly. Unfortunately, Helen has been left with permanent scarring of her hand and reduced grip strength.
As a result of her injuries Helen decided to seek legal support to claim compensation for her personal injuries but to also make sure that what happened to her because of the faulty appliance would never happen to anyone else. What Helen didn’t know at the time is that she was not the only person to have suffered injuries because of the specific and widely popular brand of blender.
Sophie Hamilton who represented Helen, has significant experience in product liability claims. Sophie managed to negotiate a settlement for Helen’s pain and suffering and financial loss, despite both the retailer and the manufacturer of the blender strongly denying liability throughout the claim, requiring court proceedings to be issued against both.
It was crucial to obtain expert evidence from a Forensic Engineer to establish what had gone wrong in the operation of the blender to cause it to fail in the way it did, and to work with specialist barristers to address the complex and technical arguments both in regard to the mechanism of the injury and legally, including as to who was the responsible defendant and jurisdiction issues as the defendant manufacturer is based in the US.
What can you do if you have been injured by faulty equipment?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 governs product liability claims in the UK. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 may also apply if there is a contractual relationship between the purchaser and the seller of the product. This legislation holds manufacturers and suppliers responsible for injuries caused by defective products, including household appliances. To establish a claim under this act, you must prove the following:
- The product was defective: This means the product did not meet the safety standards expected by an ordinary consumer.
- The defect caused your injury: A direct link must exist between the product’s defect and the harm you suffered.
- You were injured while using the product in a reasonably foreseeable way: This excludes misuse or deliberate acts.
Types of injuries and compensation
Injuries caused by household appliances can range from minor burns and cuts to severe electric shocks and fires. Potential compensation in such cases may cover:
- Medical expenses: Treatment costs, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Loss of earnings: Income lost due to time off work or inability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
Seeking legal advice
If you’ve been seriously injured by a household appliance, it’s crucial to seek legal advice from a personal injury solicitor. They can assess the merits of your claim, gather evidence, and represent your interests in negotiations or court proceedings. Some things you need to consider following your injury include:
- Act promptly: Time limits apply to personal injury claims, so it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
- Document everything: Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and any other relevant expenses.
- Consult an expert: A personal injury attorney can provide guidance on your specific case and help you understand your legal rights.
How can we help if you have suffered serious injuries because of faulty equipment?
If you have suffered significant injuries because of faulty equipment our serious injury team may be able to help you. To speak to a member of our team fill in our contact form or give us a call on 0800 044 8488.
