How Victims Can Pursue Compensation for Injuries Caused by Defective Air Fryers
Empower Brands, the manufacturer of PowerXL Dual-Basket Air Fryers, recently recalled over 319,000 units due to a significant burn hazard. These popular air fryers, sold nationwide in major retail stores like Target, Walmart, and Kohl’s, have been linked to incidents where a critical part of the appliance breaks during use, resulting in burns to consumers. The recall specifically impacts models DUAF-10 and DUAF-005, which were sold between August 2021 and October 2023.
The issue stems from a plastic U-Channel connector that allows users to combine the two baskets into a single cooking space. During normal operation, this connector can break, leading to hot food or liquids spilling and causing severe burns. Empower Brands has already reported 41 incidents of the connector breaking, including three burn injuries. This recall highlights both safety and accountability concerns surrounding defective household products.
How Defective Products Harm Consumers
When a product is defective, it can cause life-altering injuries, as seen with the PowerXL air fryers. Burns are among the most painful and severe injuries a person can suffer. In the case of these recalled air fryers, the breaking connector can result in scalding food, oil, or liquids spilling onto a user’s skin. Burn injuries often require immediate medical attention, leading to emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and ongoing treatments such as skin grafts and physical therapy.
Beyond physical pain, burn injuries often cause emotional trauma, including disfigurement, loss of mobility, and long-term psychological effects. Victims may struggle with missed work, accumulating medical bills, and a diminished quality of life. Injuries caused by defective products are entirely preventable, and when a manufacturer fails to prioritize safety, they can and should be held legally accountable.
Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit for Defective Air Fryers
Victims of defective products like the PowerXL air fryer have the right to file a product liability lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries. Product liability laws hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible for releasing unsafe products into the market. These lawsuits aim to prove that the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous, and that the defect directly caused the consumer’s injury.
The process begins with gathering evidence to establish the claim. This includes:
- Medical records documenting the injury, treatment, and prognosis.
- Photographs of the defective product and the resulting injuries.
- Receipts or proof of purchase of the defective air fryer.
- Reports and testimonies from product safety experts who can explain how the defect caused the injury.
The lawsuit process often includes negotiations with the manufacturer’s legal team and insurance representatives. While companies may initially offer settlements, these offers are often inadequate to cover the full extent of the victim’s damages. If negotiations fail, the case may proceed to trial, where a jury determines the outcome.
Why Victims Need an Attorney
Filing a product liability lawsuit without professional legal support can be overwhelming and risky. Manufacturers often have powerful legal teams and substantial resources to dispute claims. An experienced attorney can manage every step of the process, ensuring the case is handled efficiently and effectively. They will gather evidence, handle legal filings, and negotiate aggressively with the manufacturer to pursue fair compensation.
Having legal representation ensures that victims receive the full compensation they deserve. Without an attorney, victims risk accepting settlements that fail to account for future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and long-term pain and suffering.
Recoverable Damages in Product Liability Cases
Victims of defective product injuries can recover various types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: Covering costs for emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term treatment.
- Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work due to the injury, as well as reduced earning capacity if the injury causes long-term disability.
- Pain and suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of quality of life caused by the injury.
- Punitive damages: In cases where the manufacturer acted recklessly or negligently, courts may award additional damages to punish the company and prevent similar issues in the future.
Families of victims who suffer fatal injuries may also file wrongful death claims to recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional anguish.
Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective PowerXL Dual-Basket Air Fryer, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your losses. Parker Waichman LLP is ready to fight for justice and hold manufacturers accountable for their unsafe products. Contact us today for a free consultation at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529). Our dedicated legal team will guide you through every step of the process to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.
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