Burn Injuries from Defective Products Lawyer in Maryland

Aggressive representation when defective products cause burn injuries

When you buy a product, you expect it to be safe. Whether it's a kitchen appliance or a car, you trust that it will work exactly as intended. Unfortunately, when a product's design is flawed, it's poorly manufactured, or the warnings on the product are insufficient, consumers can suffer life-altering burn injuries.

Burn injuries can occur when heat, electricity, radiation, or chemicals damage the skin. The Centers for Disease Control reported as many as 398,000 fire or burn-related injuries in 2021, along with 252,000 injuries related to hot objects or substances. In 2024, 15.1 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries resulting from consumer products. Many of these incidents involve products that overheat, ignite, or malfunction.

If you’ve suffered from a serious burn injury, the physical, emotional, and financial damage can feel overwhelming. Victims may have legal rights. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., our experienced Maryland product liability lawyers are ready to help. We can hold negligent manufacturers accountable and pursue compensation available under Maryland law. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.

What are burn injuries caused by defective products?

Burn injuries caused by defective products can be thermal, chemical, or electrical injuries. They can occur when a product sparks, explodes, overheats, or leaks, causing burn injuries through direct contact.

How defective products cause burns

Burn injuries from defective products can occur when consumer goods overheat, explode, or catch fire.

Types of product defects

Product defects are often the result of manufacturing defects, design flaws, or inadequate warnings. One well-known example is exploding lithium-ion batteries, but unfortunately, many defective products can cause burn injuries in various ways.

• Design defects: These include flaws in the way a product was designed – the product’s blueprint. For example, imagine that a product, such as an everyday kitchen item like a spatula, is coated with a toxic material. In this scenario, each spatula produced with this coating would pose the same risk.
• Manufacturing defects: These involve errors during production that make a product unsafe, such as assembly errors or missing components. For example, a space heater may be safely designed, but a wiring error during assembly could make a specific unit dangerous.
• Failure to warn: When a manufacturer knows or should have known about a danger, and they failed to recall or warn customers, this could be a defect. An example is a cleaning product that could cause harm if you get it on your skin. If the product lacks clear warnings and instructions, liability for the defective product may fall on the manufacturer.

Why manufacturers can be held strictly liable

Consumers rely on products being safe for their intended use. In Maryland, product liability claims may be brought under strict liability, meaning negligence does not need to be proven if the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous. If a product is deemed unreasonably dangerous when it leaves the manufacturer, then liability can fall on the manufacturer.

Common defective products that cause burn injuries

Even when products are used exactly as they were intended, and consumers follow all instructions, burn accidents can happen. When a product fails, manufacturers and other responsible parties may be held accountable for injuries.

Defective household appliances

Faulty appliances, like toasters, coffee makers, and microwaves, can malfunction, making them overheat or ignite. An estimated 376,950 scald burn injuries associated with consumer household appliances and products were seen in hospital emergency rooms in the U.S. between 2013 and 2017. Many products have automatic shutoff features or temperature controls, but when they fail, they can cause sparks or fires.

Exploding batteries and electronics

Defective electrical products, such as cell phones, laptops, hair dryers, and electric blankets, can catch fire or explode. Fires and explosions can also be caused by overcharging or internal defects.

Faulty space heaters and HVAC units

Sometimes, heaters or HVAC units can tip over, have poor wiring, or lack proper safety shutoffs. When this occurs, overheating components can start a fire and ignite nearby materials.

Defective gas grills and propane equipment

Leaks on gas grills, outdoor heaters, or other equipment that uses propane tanks can happen due to faulty parts, leading to explosions and flash burns.

Flammable clothing and textiles

The Flammable Fabrics Act regulates the manufacture of highly flammable clothing. When manufacturers don’t meet the standard, and clothing or other textiles catch on fire too quickly or easily, manufacturers can be held responsible.

Dangerous children’s products and toys

When parents purchase toys for their children, they trust that the toys are safe. When they’re not, the consequences, such as burn injuries due to overheated batteries, can be devastating.

Types of burn injuries in product liability cases

Not all burn injuries are the same. Defective products can cause several types of burn injuries, each with different causes.

Thermal burns from fires and explosions

If you come into direct contact with the flames, either by a fire or an explosion, you may suffer a thermal burn. This type of injury ranges from mild to serious and can damage the skin and underlying tissue. Imagine you have a space heater that overheats and ignites a nearby carpet, or your gas grill in the backyard leaks propane due to a faulty valve and causes a sudden explosion. In either scenario, exposure can leave you with thermal burns.

Electrical burns from faulty wiring

Electrical burns happen when an electrical current generates enough heat to damage cells. Often, the damage exists deep inside your body where you can’t see it. Electrical burns are linked to defective cords, outlets, or other devices.

Chemical burns from leaking or exploding products

Exposure to corrosive substances, such as battery acid or bleach, can leave you with chemical burns. You can get chemical burns on your skin, eyes, or inside your body.

Scalding injuries from overheated liquids

When liquid or steam comes into contact with your body, you can suffer scalding burns. Scalds are the most common type of burn and range from mild to serious. Examples include hot drinks spilled on the skin, boiling water from pots or kettles, and steam from appliances.

Injuries and long-term complications

Burn injuries from defective products can range from mild to severe.

Severe skin and tissue damage

First-, second-, and third-degree burns vary in pain level and require varying levels of care. Regardless of the degree, there is a risk of infection. Many burns involving skin and tissue damage require hospitalization or specialized burn care.

Infection and sepsis

Any burn that breaks the skin can lead to an infection. Sepsis, also called blood poisoning, is the body’s response and requires immediate medical attention. Around the world, one-third of people with sepsis die, and many others are left with PTSD, chronic pain, organ dysfunction, and amputations.

Permanent scarring and disfigurement

Scars from burns can change the way you look. Sometimes, treatment requires painful reconstructive or cosmetic procedures. Any marks or disfigurement can affect your self-confidence.

Nerve damage and loss of function

When burns damage the body’s nerves, it can result in reduced sensation or mobility. Physical or occupational therapy may help, but for some, the nerve damage can lead to long-term injuries.

Emotional trauma and PTSD

While burn injuries are often physical, sometimes they can cause anxiety, depression, or fear. In more severe cases, victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Who can be held liable for a defective product burn?

Multiple parties may be legally liable for defective products and resulting injuries.

Product manufacturers

Manufacturers are typically responsible for design and production. If a product has a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer may be held responsible for a product liability claim.

Component part manufacturers

Even small parts can cause injuries. If a product fails due to component parts, the component part manufacturer may be held liable for resulting injuries.

Distributors and wholesalers

Distributors and wholesalers may be held liable if they place a defective product into the stream of commerce.

Retailers and big box stores

Even if a seller didn’t manufacture the product, they could still be liable for placing a defective product into the stream of commerce.

Proving a defective product burn claim

Burn injury cases involving defective products typically rely on evidence. In Maryland, a victim will need to prove that the product was defective and that the defect directly caused their injuries.

Establishing the product was defective

In order to establish that a product was defective either by design, manufacturing, or a lack of a warning label, you’ll need to establish how the product failed. The product must be unreasonably dangerous for its intended or foreseeable use. An experienced product liability attorney can help you establish a defective product by comparing the product to industry standards and safety expectations.

Preserving the product as evidence

If possible, preserve the defective product’s packaging, instructions, manuals, and receipts. Don’t try to fix the product. Don’t throw it away or alter it in any way. The product itself is likely the most important piece of evidence in your case.

Expert testing and engineering analysis

Attorneys may rely on engineers and specialists to determine how and why a product failed. Their testimony can strengthen causation and liability arguments.

Demonstrating causation and damages

Just because you own a defective product doesn’t mean you have a legal claim. You need to prove the defective product actually caused your injury. Victims can rely on medical evidence, incident reports, and witnesses to show the full extent of losses.

Compensation available in defective product burn cases

Maryland defective product cases can result in both economic and non-economic damages.

Medical expenses and reconstructive surgeries

Economic damages can include compensation for the cost of medical treatment, including:

• Emergency care
• Hospital stays
• Ongoing treatment
• Skin grafts
• Surgeries
• Specialized burn care
• Costs for future care, which we document through a life care plan

Lost wages and future earning loss

Economic damages can also include lost finances due to the inability to work, including:

• Employment income lost during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity due to long-term injuries
• Impact on career trajectory

Pain and suffering

Victims can also recover for pain and suffering. This typically involves:

• Physical pain and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Ongoing psychological impact

Disfigurement and loss of quality of life

If injuries are severe, such as disfigurement or other injuries that contribute to a loss of quality of life, you may be able to recover. For example, this might include:

• Permanent scars or physical changes
• Social and emotional consequences
• Impact on daily activities and relationships

What to do after a burn injury from a defective product

Seek immediate medical treatment

If you’ve suffered a burn injury from a defective product, the first thing you should do is prioritize your health and get medical treatment. Early treatment can help prevent potential complications. Document all symptoms associated with your injury to strengthen your claim.

Preserve the product and packaging

When a defective product hurts you, your first inclination might be to get rid of it. Don’t. Hold on to the product and any packaging that came with it. Possession is critical for proving it was defective.

Avoid altering or repairing the product

Don’t try to fix the defective product. Keep it as is, without making any alterations. Any repairs can destroy key evidence in your case.

Document injuries and scene conditions

Proof of injuries and the accident scene are key pieces of evidence. To record what your injuries look like and where your injury happened, take photos. If witnesses were present when your injury took place, make sure you get their information.

Contact a product liability burn injury lawyer immediately

An experienced product liability attorney can provide legal guidance when you need it most. After a thorough investigation, attorneys can coordinate expert analysis, communicate with insurance companies, and represent you in negotiations and trial, if necessary.

Burn injury product liability FAQs

How long do I have to file a product liability lawsuit?

The statute of limitations to file a burn injury product liability case in Maryland is generally three years from when the injury occurred or was discovered.

What if the product was recalled?

A recall can help your case. If a product was recalled, it supports the fact that a defect existed. While it’s not required to bring a claim, it certainly can help.

Do I need the original receipt?

No, but having a receipt can be helpful.

How much is my defective product burn case worth?

It depends. Each case is different. Typically, the more severe your injuries, the higher your compensation may be.

Contact a Maryland burn injury lawyer for defective product cases today

Serious burn injuries from defective products can change your life. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., our experienced Maryland attorneys handle complex product liability claims, and we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’re available to meet clients in our offices in Baltimore or Columbia, MD. We can also arrange a video consultation if that works better for you.

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