The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

In 2005, a fan manufactured by Lasko Products, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ignited a fire in a family home. A 7-year-old boy was trapped inside the house. Despite the efforts of rescue workers, the boy died of smoke inhalation and burns. Now, his mother and sister finally believe their quest for justice has been vindicated with a $13.5 million dollar verdict in their favor. The mother said she hoped that the verdict in the defective product case would call more people's attention to the recall of Lasko fans and save other families from experiencing a tragedy like hers.

The verdict included $4 million to the mother and $2 million to the sister for emotional distress. The verdict also included significant punitive damages against Lasko Products. Lasko had known about the defects in the Chinese-made motors in its fan since 1999, and had even developed corrective technology for the defect in 2004. But Lasko did not inform consumers or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about the defect until 2006. This despite a 2000 incident in which a 12-year-old boy was killed in a fire started by a Lasko fan. Lasko had reached a confidential settlement over the 2000 incident, a settlement that allowed Lasko to keep the incident secret and continue selling the defective fans without telling consumers of the CPSC until 2006, too late to stop more tragic loss of life.

Defective product lawsuits are about more than just getting compensation for your loss. They are also about protecting others. Regulatory agencies do have some power, but often that power is just enough for a company to want to conceal defective or dangerous products. For failing to report the defective fan motor, Lasko was fined only $500,000 by the CPSC, compared to the millions it would have cost the company to recall 5.6 million fans, as it was forced to do in 2006. But if a company is threatened with millions of dollars for every death their defective product causes, they are more likely to act in a timely fashion to protect consumers. If you have been hurt by a defective product, your lawsuit can literally save lives.

It is also important to work with a law firm that lets you stay in control. At the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office of The Cochran Firm, we put our experience, our expertise, and our resources to work for you, but you remain in control. We will not accept a confidential settlement if you want a trial to publicize the risks of a dangerous product.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a dangerous product and you want to take action against the company that could have protected you, The Cochran Firm can help. With our nationwide resources, we are capable to taking on any opponent no matter how large. Please, contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Labels: main, Philadelphia