Injuries from Range, Stoves, or Ovens Tipping Over
Stove tip-over accidents can be devastating, resulting in serious injuries or even death. If you or a loved one has injuries from range stoves or ovens tipping over, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
An experienced Atlanta stove tip-over accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and recover the compensation you deserve. The Stoddard Firm is experienced at handling stove tip-over accident cases.
Stove Tip-Over Accidents Are Not New
Free-standing, light stoves have been causing injuries and deaths since their inception. If an oven is not properly secured, it can cause serious injuries. Installation technicians, landlords, and appliance manufacturers know the danger posed by stoves tipping over and can prevent it. If they fail to do so and an accident happens, they have no grounds to deny liability.
For example, in 2010, stove tip-over accidents killed two 2-year-old children, one in Missouri and another in Nevada. In 2011, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released the result of a study that showed that stove, range, and oven tip-over accidents resulted in 38 deaths from 1980 to 2008 and caused 84 injuries between 1980 and 2006.
The study found that most accidents resulted from the absence of anti-tip brackets on free-standing appliances.
CPSC and stove manufacturers have worked on voluntary standards focusing on warning labels, but the problem persists.
Age Is a Factor in Tip-Over Accidents
Young children are likelier to fall victim to stove tip-over accidents than adults. This is because they are anxious to reach or see whatever is on the kitchen counters. Children often grab the stove doors, which causes the appliance to tip over and crush them.
Adults will likely suffer from stove tip-over accidents if they hold on to these appliances to support them while getting up from crouching or sitting positions. Note that ovens are very heavy and can even pin some adults down. CPSC reports that up to five adults have been trapped under ovens, resulting in serious burns.
Local and International Codes Provide Some Protection Against Stove Tip-Over Accidents
There are local and international codes that regulate large cooking appliances, but they often need to be addressed. For example, the International Mechanical Code and the International Fuel and Gas Code require technicians to install ranges, ovens, and stoves according to the instructions provided by the manufacturers.
Other codes regulating the use of stoves are the International Building Code and the International Property Maintenance Code. The former requires that all stove owners apply for a permit before altering, removing, or installing a flammable gas system. At the same time, the latter dictates that all appliances must be properly maintained.
Additionally, it is a requirement that licensed and trained plumbers must conduct all installations of gas ranges.
Designers Have a Role to Play
Installation of an anti-tip bracket can prevent most stove tip-over accidents, but manufacturers, particularly designers, can do more. Rather than just warning stove users, the designers can incorporate design changes to eliminate tip-over accidents.
For example, they can make the bases of the stoves heavy enough to support the weight of young children. They can also include interlock switches to stop the ovens from working unless they are level and have properly engaged safety equipment.
In their 2011 study, CPSC recommended that designers add a mechanism to lock the stove doors in an open position when the oven is tilted.
Who Is Liable in the Case of a Stove Tip-Over Accident?
Sometimes it is difficult to determine who is liable if a stove tip-over accident occurs. If you are a victim, contact The Stoddard Firm attorneys at 470-467-2200 for guidance. In most cases, the parties liable for stove tip-over accidents include:
- Landlords
- Repair crews
- Installers
- Manufacturers
Landlords, service providers, and manufacturers are legally obligated to ensure that stove users are safe. Two or more parties mentioned above can be held liable in some cases.
An Atlanta stove tip-over accident lawyer will help you determine the responsible parties to get the maximum compensation and results you deserve.
The Stoddard Firm Has Experienced Attorneys in Stove Tip-Over Accidents
When a stove tip-over accident occurs, it is best to enlist the help of a qualified and experienced stove tip-over accident lawyer to help you get the best compensation possible in a stove-tipping lawsuit.
The attorneys at the Stoddard Firm are your surest bet when you or your loved one is involved in a stove tip-over accident. We are experienced in personal injury, premises liability, and product liability and understand the laws in these areas. In representing you, we will strive to answer these three questions:
- Who had the duty to protect you?
- Did they perform their duty?
- Did you suffer any loss or injury as a result of their failure?
Above all, we will do all we can to get the maximum compensation for your economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Call us today at 470-467-2200 so we can start working on your case.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
