Whirlpool Recalls Glass Cooktops That Could Turn Themselves On

Whirlpool has issued a product defect recall for about 26,300 glass cooktops because they could turn themselves on. According to a CNN news report, the cooktops were sold under Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Jenn Air brands. The cooktops could pose a fire and burn hazard, but the recall notice does not explain how the cooktops are able to turn themselves on. The glass cooktops were manufactured from December 2016 through July 2019 and sold at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Best Buy and other stores from March 2017 through August 2019.

Details of the Recall

So far, Whirlpool said it has received 133 reports of cooktops turning on by themselves, resulting in 14 reports of fire or heat damage. In two cases, burn injuries have been reported. Anyone who has these cooktops at home is asked to contact Whirpool to arrange for the installation of a replacement cooktop free of charge.

They are also being told to turn the cooktop off at the circuit breaker and to not leave any empty cookware or flammable material on or near the appliance. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website has a complete list of the model numbers and serial numbers of the cooktops that have been affected by the recall. This is not the only device that’s recently been recalled due to fire safety risks. Earlier this month, Apple issued a recall of more than 460,000 MacBook Pro batteries.

Injuries and Damages

Faulty appliances have the potential to cause serious property damage as well as major injuries that could leave individuals disabled or worse. Burn injuries, in addition to being painful, can also be difficult to repair. Victims may require costly skin graft procedures and other cosmetic surgeries, which may not be covered by health insurance policies. These are often expenses individuals must bear out of pocket in order to get the treatments they need.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the faulty item that injured you. Injured victims may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of surgery, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced product defect attorney will be able to advise injured victims regarding their legal rights and options.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/29/us/cooktops-recall-trnd/index.html