Item: Kreisman Law Offices Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Rating: 5
Author: C.B.

Smoke Detector Defects

Smoke detectors are required by law or ordinance in many municipalities around the Chicago area, including Chicago. The purpose of a smoke detector in working order is to give advance warning of the onset of a fire in a home, apartment, commercial space, retail store, manufacturing plant or warehouse facility. Too often the smoke detector device itself is defective. In order to prove that the defective smoke alarm was a cause of the injuries or deaths to the occupants, it must be shown to a preponderance of evidence that:

There was a legal duty to provide a working smoke alarm for the landlord, the landowner, the manufacturer.
That the individual or company, landowner or landlord breached the duty to provide a safe place to live or work.
That the breach of the duty of the landlord or company owner was the cause of the injuries or death because of the lack of the presence of a properly working smoke alarm detector or of its failure to operate because of a manufacturer’s defect.
Damages that resulted in loss of life or injury.

In cases where the smoke alarm is defective, there could be many party defendants that have a duty to provide and distribute a safe product. Depending on the facts of each case, the responsible party for selling, distributing and installing a defective smoke alarm would include the manufacturer, a part manufacturer or contractor, the property owner, the management company and the installation contractor.

Smoke alarms should be installed in working order in all apartment buildings, housing dwellings, nursing homes, manufacturing facilities, businesses, office buildings, court houses and other public places. In the event that a smoke alarm is absent or doesn’t operate properly, loss of life injuries, loss of earnings, burn injuries resulting in disfigurement, emotional distress and loss of normal life are likely. In Illinois and Chicago particularly, there are laws in place that mandate that landlords, companies and buildings of all kinds come equipped with approved smoke and fire detection systems. Should these mechanisms not be in place, the landlord, landowner company owner will be held accountable for injuries and loss of life not to mention the criminal penalty as a possibility.

In an apartment fire that Kreisman Law Offices is handling, the fire erupted in another part of a 24 unit apartment building, but went unnoticed because the smoke detectors were inoperable. One of the tenants and a client suffered serious injuries as a result.

In many smoke alarm defect cases, individuals could be seriously injured, burned and lose their life. The seriously injured include severe burns, smoke inhalation, organ failures and brain damage because of smoke exposure or death. The results of injuries suffered in a fire are devastating. One manufacturer of hardwired smoke alarm systems, Kidde recalled its smoke alarm system in one instance where it was discovered that in the event of a power outage the smoke alarm would malfunction. The company in this case discovered the defect in a routine quality check. In that case, the company was proactive in recalling the device in advance of any report of injury or death as a result of the defect.

If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a defective smoke detector or the failure to install a smoke detector, you need experienced attorneys to investigate each and every facet of the fire, the incident and who is responsible for injury and/or death. Please call us for an immediate free consultation.

Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical device defect injury cases. Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding communities and has successfully resolved cases for those injured in medical device defect cases.

With our 40 years of experience in trying and settling product defect cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online. There is no charge for a consultation that will include an evaluation of your case, assessment of damages such as lost income, lost wages, medical and hospital bills, past and future pain and suffering, loss of normal life and wrongful death.

★★★★★

“We were devastated when our 31 year-old son was killed by a negligent driver. Kreisman Law Offices did everything to help us through this very difficult time, including coming out to the house several times which was a comfort. My wife and I were extremely pleased with Mr. Kreisman’s compassion and care for this very tragic and troubling time.” C.B.

“Bob Kreisman did everything possible in handling the trial of this case. It was devastating that I traumatically lost my leg above the knee in this truck accident. However, it was not an easy case to win. His staff was so prepared for the trial that it was not surprising that the settlement offers continued to rise until we finally accepted the multi-million settlement while the jury was still deciding the case. My wife and I were delighted that we could secure our future with this settlement. We thank Mr. Kreisman and his incredible staff for working so hard for our benefit.” T.P.

“My mother died because doctors dropped the ball. I called Robert Kreisman and he immediately set up an appointment for my entire family. We met at his offices and I was very comfortable that he would do the best for my dad and my brothers. He spent hours with all of us in preparing for depositions and he hired top notch experts, all of which contributed to an incredible settlement before trial. I know that he is dedicated to his cases and particularly to the people he works for and the people who work with him. He continues to be generous in contributing annually to my mother’s memory and to make known to the public the signs and symptoms of brain tumors.” V.S.

“My dad was ignored and mistreated at the nursing home that we placed him in. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we made a big mistake, particularly after my dad developed these terrible bedsores. We transferred him as we were contacting Mr. Kreisman. He was referred to us by a lawyer we have known for a long time and respect his opinion. Mr. Kreisman and his staff worked tirelessly to resolve this case. We were fortunate to have his services and will recommend him to anyone.” T.J.

Submit a Law Firm Client Review