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RECENT CASES |
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GENERAL INFORMATION |
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Washing Machine Defects
and Safety Issues |
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| In many washing machine
models, safety mechanisms are in place to stop
the drum from spinning once the loading door is
opened. However, in some models, especially heavy-duty
commercial washers, such safety devices are not
in place. |
| Injuries may occur when
the user attempts to balance the load or remove/add
laundry from the machine and gets a hand or arm
entangled in the spinning laundry, leading to serious
lacerations, fractures and amputations. These injuries
are often very serious, and in many cases involve
children. |
| In January 2005, a
12-year-old Wisconsin boy won a settlement
of nearly $9 million dollars from the manufacturer
and distributor of the heavy-duty washing machine
that wrenched off his arm. The boy’s injury
allegedly occurred when he opened the door
to the IPSO Big Mac triple-load washer to check
if the laundry was dry, and his arm got caught
in the machine’s rotation after trying
to stuff back in laundry that had fallen out.
The two safety features of the washing machine – one
to keep the door shut and locked during operation
and the other to stop the machine from spinning
if the door is opened -- were not working. |
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| Lieff
Cabraser represents persons
across America injured by defective
products. Click
here to submit your case. |
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| In June 1998, while attempting
to add towels to a load of laundry already in progress,
a 9-year-old girl from Oregon caught her arm in
one of the towels as the washer continued to spin.
The towel pulled her arm around the agitator post,
snapping both bones in her forearm. After four
weeks of surgery, her right arm was amputated below
the elbow. Her family sued White Consolidated,
the machine’s manufacturer, and the case settled
out of court with an agreement that White Consolidated
would equip all new machines with appropriate safety
mechanisms. |
| The law in most states provides individuals with legal
claims and the right to compensation for injuries they suffer as a result
of a defective product or the negligence of another. The injured person
may file a lawsuit seeking compensation for his or her pain and suffering,
medical expenses, lost past and future wages and punitive damages. |
| If you or
a family member have been injured by a defective
washing machine, please click
here to contact an attorney at the national
personal injury law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP. |
| Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP is an over fifty attorney
law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last seven years,
the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser
as one of the top 20 plaintiff law firms in America. |
| For our personal injury cases, we bring a team of experienced
lawyers. Each client is assigned an individual lawyer. In addition, we have
on staff multiple nurses, legal assistants, scientific analysts and case
clerks to assist the attorneys. To learn more about our firm, click
here. |
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| Trademark
Notice: Personal Injury Lawyer America is an electronic newsletter
from Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. Lieff Cabraser
represents clients in a wide range of cases, including personal
injury and wrongful
death lawsuits. Our personal injury attorneys
| lawyers are committed to providing the very best representation
and support possible for our clients. |
Lieff Cabraser
is not affiliated in any way with any trademark owner. The use of
any trademarks on this site is for product identification and information
purposes only.
About Lieff Cabraser: We have
offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. Our lawyers have
represented clients in personal injury, wrongful death and
rollover crashes and product defect lawsuits across America.
Disclaimer: The hiring of legal
professionals is an important decision that should not be based on
advertising alone. Please read our disclaimer. |
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| Copyright © 2010 Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP |
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