Siemens Industry Recalls SolarReady Meter Combos Due To Fire Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced the recall of Siemens Industry SolarReady meter combos. According to the recall, Siemens SolarReady Meter Combos can overheat potentially posing a fire hazard. The product serves as a connection point between the utility power supply, a rooftop solar system, and the main electrical panel serving a home. Some variations of this product contain branch breaker circuits (a breaker box) for the entire home or part of the home. The product also contains the main breaker service disconnect for the home’s entire power.
Consumers are being asked to contact Siemens directly to determine if your SolarReady Meter Combo is included in this recall. Siemens will arrange for an on-site inspection, repair, or replace the recalled meter combos with a licensed contractor at no additional cost to the customer.
At present, the company has received 8 reports of the device overheating including one that caused a localized fire. No injuries have thus far been reported.
Consumer products and fire hazards
Numerous consumer products are recalled over the risk that they can start a fire. Most of the information we have about these products comes from consumers who reported the issue either to the company from which they purchased the product or CPSC directly. Many of these products are electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion battery fires can be very dangerous and difficult to put out.
If a consumer product poses a fire hazard, the company that manufactured the product is liable for any damage that the product causes. This includes damage to the customer in the form of a burn injury. But it also includes property damage caused by the defective product.
Product liability and consumer claims
If a consumer is injured through the use of a defective product, they can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product and the retailer who made the product available to the public.
Product liability lawsuits are filed under one of three theories of liability. The first theory of liability is that the product had a design flaw that rendered it unreasonably dangerous for public use. In the case mentioned above, the product had a propensity to overheat causing at least one fire. This is an example of a design defect.
Manufacturers can also be held liable for manufacturing defects. In some cases, the design of the product is sound, but something happens during manufacturing and renders it unreasonably dangerous. In that case, you can claim a manufacturing defect led to your injury or property damage.
Lastly, if a product is intrinsically dangerous in some way, the manufacturer is expected to warn customers about potential dangers related to their product. When they fail, they can be held liable under product liability rules.
Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today
Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of those who have been injured by dangerous or defective products. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation, and we can begin investigating your claim today.
Source:
cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Siemens-Industry-Recalls-SolarReady-Meter-Combos-Due-to-Fire-Hazard
