Key Takeaways:
- Defective space heaters, electric blankets, and kitchen appliances can cause serious burn injuries during Utah’s cold season.
- Manufacturers and retailers may be liable for unsafe or poorly designed products that cause fires or burns.
- Victims in Utah can pursue compensation with help from Steele Adams Hosman’s experienced product liability attorneys.
As Utah homes grow colder and families gather indoors for the holidays, heaters, electric blankets, and festive cooking appliances become household essentials. Unfortunately, these same products can also pose serious dangers when they’re defective. Each winter, residents across Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo suffer severe burns caused by faulty electrical products, from space heaters that ignite carpets to pressure cookers that explode without warning.
At Steele Adams Hosman, we see the devastating effects of these preventable accidents every year. Burn injuries are among the most painful and costly to treat, often requiring surgeries, long hospital stays, and emotional recovery. When a defective product is to blame, victims deserve justice and compensation. This guide explains how Utah product liability law applies to burn injuries, what types of defects cause these accidents, and what steps you can take if you or a loved one is injured.
Burn Injuries Spike During Utah’s Winter Months
Utah’s cold winters make space heaters, heating pads, and electric blankets common household items. Unfortunately, these devices are also among the top causes of product-related burns. Space heaters alone cause thousands of residential fires each year, especially during December and January.
In Salt Lake City and Ogden, older homes and apartments with inadequate insulation often rely on portable heaters. When those products overheat, tip over, or fail to shut off automatically, disaster can strike within seconds. Similarly, defective electric blankets, heating pads, or kitchen appliances can expose users to electrical fires, scalding steam, or direct burns.
Common causes of winter burn injuries include:
- Overheating elements in electric blankets or space heaters
- Faulty wiring or poor insulation inside appliances
- Malfunctioning thermostats or automatic shutoff switches
- Exploding pressure cookers or air fryers during use
- Sparks or electrical shorts when plugging in devices
When these products fail, victims may face third-degree burns, nerve damage, or permanent scarring, injuries that change lives forever.
Understanding Product Liability in Utah
Under Utah product liability law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held responsible when a defective product causes injury. These cases don’t require proof of intent or even direct negligence, only that the product was unreasonably dangerous and caused harm while being used as intended.
There are three main types of product defects recognized in Utah courts:
1. Design Defects
These occur when a product is inherently unsafe due to the way it was designed. For example, a space heater without a tip-over shutoff or overheat protection may be considered defectively designed because safer alternatives exist.
2. Manufacturing Defects
Even well-designed products can become dangerous if errors occur during production. A loose wire, cheap material substitution, or improperly installed safety component could cause a fire or shock hazard.
3. Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects)
Manufacturers have a duty to warn consumers about known risks. If an electric blanket lacks clear warnings about overheating or improper use, the company could be liable for resulting injuries.
Utah’s product liability laws aim to protect consumers from these preventable dangers, especially when products are sold for household or seasonal use.
The Connection Between Burn Injuries and Defective Winter Products
Each holiday season, hospitals across Utah treat burn victims injured by defective consumer goods. These incidents often share a few common factors:
- Cheap imported devices: Many space heaters and heating pads sold online don’t meet U.S. safety standards.
- Overuse during cold snaps: Continuous operation puts extra strain on heating devices, exposing weak electrical components.
- Holiday cooking hazards: Defective kitchen appliances (pressure cookers, deep fryers, or electric kettles) cause explosions and scald injuries.
- Lack of recall awareness: Consumers often aren’t notified when a dangerous product is recalled.
At Steele Adams Hosman, our attorneys investigate whether your injury resulted from a product defect, poor instructions, or corporate negligence. If so, you may have a valid product liability claim against the manufacturer or retailer.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Utah Product Liability Case?
Liability in a burn injury case can extend beyond the manufacturer. Depending on how the product was made and sold, multiple parties may share responsibility:
- Manufacturer: The primary designer and producer of the defective product.
- Distributor or wholesaler: The company that supplied the product to retailers.
- Retailer: The store or online seller that sold the product to the consumer.
- Third-party repair or installer: If improper modification or wiring caused the hazard.
Utah law allows injured victims to file claims against one or more of these parties to ensure accountability at every stage of the product’s life cycle.
What Compensation Can Victims Recover?
Burn injuries often lead to long-term consequences, not just physically, but financially and emotionally. Compensation in a Utah product liability claim may include:
- Medical expenses: Hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, and rehabilitation
- Lost income: Time away from work during recovery or permanent disability
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, disfigurement, and emotional trauma
- Property damage: Costs associated with fires or destroyed belongings
- Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety
The attorneys at Steele Adams Hosman fight to ensure victims receive full and fair compensation for every aspect of their loss.
Your recovery matters. Call Steele Adams Hosman today for a free consultation and find out if you have a product liability claim.
Steps to Take After a Burn Injury from a Defective Product
If you’re injured by a faulty space heater, electric blanket, or kitchen appliance, quick action can protect both your health and your legal rights.
- Seek Immediate Medical Care. Burn injuries can worsen quickly, and infection is a major risk. Always seek emergency care or visit a burn specialist right away.
- Preserve the Product and Packaging. Do not throw away the product that caused your injury. Keep the box, manual, receipts, and any damaged components, as they may be critical evidence.
- Document the Scene. Take photos of the product, your injuries, and the surrounding area (such as burn marks or fire damage).
- Check for Recalls. You can search for recalls on the manufacturer’s website or through government databases to see if similar reports exist.
- Contact an Experienced Utah Product Liability Lawyer. Proving a product defect requires technical knowledge and expert testimony. Steele Adams Hosman has the resources to investigate manufacturing records, test products, and build strong cases for Utah victims.
Why Choose Steele Adams Hosman for Your Burn Injury Case
At Steele Adams Hosman, we understand the toll that severe burns take, physically, emotionally, and financially. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients across Salt Lake City, Ogden, and the Wasatch Front in complex product liability cases.
Here’s how we help:
- Comprehensive investigations: We partner with engineers and safety experts to identify the exact defect.
- Aggressive representation: Our trial-ready lawyers are prepared to take your case to court if insurance companies refuse to settle.
- Personal attention: We know every client’s story matters. You’ll work directly with our team throughout your case.
We’ve recovered compensation for Utah residents injured by dangerous consumer products, and we’re ready to fight for you, too.
Hurt by a defective heater or appliance? Contact Steele Adams Hosman today to schedule your free consultation.
Staying Safe This Holiday Season
While not all accidents can be prevented, you can reduce your risk of burn injuries by following a few safety precautions:
- Purchase heaters and blankets only from reputable retailers.
- Look for UL or ETL safety certifications on packaging.
- Avoid leaving heating devices unattended, especially overnight.
- Keep flammable materials (curtains, bedding, and paper) away from heaters.
- Replace old or frayed cords immediately.
- Stay informed about product recalls.
A few moments of precaution can make the difference between a cozy winter evening and a devastating fire.
Justice means holding manufacturers accountable for unsafe products. Steele Adams Hosman stands ready to protect Utah families injured by dangerous consumer goods. Call us today for your free consultation, and take the first step toward justice and recovery.
