Texas Accident & Injury News
Defective window units can cause serious fires.
Motel A/C Catches Fire, Man Hospitalized With Burn Injuries
According to a KSAT News report, a man was hospitalized with minor burns following a motel fire.
SAFD reported the fire started at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, at a motel on the 500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. They believe the fire started in the A/C unit outside of the man’s room, and fire officials are investigating for arson. Other people at the motel rescued the man from the room, where he was trapped for a short time. He suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation injuries and was taken to the hospital. The fire was quickly extinguished, leaving minimal damage to the exterior of the building. The investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
Roughly 2,300 residential fires per year are caused by A/C units in the United States.
Fire Hazards Caused by A/C Units and When to Sue
Winter is fast approaching and comes with an increased risk of residential fires across Texas.
One of the many potential fire hazards common to Texas homes is A/C units, whether a central air-conditioning system or a window unit. These units cause roughly 2,300 major fires per year, with an average of 60 injuries and five deaths across the country.
If your A/C unit catches fire because of a defect or faulty service, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and property damage that occurred as a result.
Window Unit Hazards
Window unit fires are more common in single-family and two-family dwellings and are often caused by:
- Electrical Issues (faulty wires, damaged cables, electrical sparks, etc.)
- Overheating (mechanical failure, clogged filters, worn-out parts, etc.)
- And Improper Installation.
Window units are responsible for about 55% of A/C fires, though they only account for 35% of total units.
HVAC (Central Unit) Hazards
Central unit fires are more common in apartment-type residences and are often caused by:
- Broken Parts
- Electrical Issues
- And Clogged Pipes.
Regular maintenance of these units is critical to ensure that they don’t become fire hazards.
When to Sue for an A/C Unit Fire?
To sue for an injury from an A/C unit fire, you must prove that a third party was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury.
For example, negligent parties could include:
- Manufacturers: If the unit was defective or had a design flaw that made it unsafe, the manufacturing company could be held accountable for your injuries from a resulting fire.
- Installation Companies: If your unit caught fire because it was improperly installed, the company who installed it or their employee (or both) could be held responsible for your injuries.
- Maintenance/Repair Companies: If the maintenance or repair company damaged the unit, missed a major/dangerous flaw, or improperly repaired the unit, they could be held responsible for the resulting fire.
When suing a company, it is critical to hire legal representation. You start at a disadvantage — level the playing field by hiring a team of expert attorneys for your defective product injury.
Injured in a Fire Caused by a Defective A/C Unit? Call Shaw.
If you were injured by a defective product anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Surgeries,
- Disfigurement,
- Property Damage,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Missed Work,
- Loss of Earning Capacity,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with a defective product lawyer today. You’ll find out if you have a case and get your questions answered for free, with no obligation to hire the firm. Carabin Shaw puts their clients first. We look forward to serving you.