Defective Washer and Dryer Leak Slip and Fall Accident
It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without washing machines and dryers, which some of us have in our homes. Others live in apartment buildings, and they rely on shared washers and dryers in a common laundry room. Or, you may find that it’s necessary or more convenient to get your laundry done at a laundromat. Wherever you wash your clothes, most of the units we encounter are separate washers and dryers. In recent years, people have the option of buying stackable washer and dryer units or a single machine that does both jobs.
Regardless of the machine you are using, there are many things that can go wrong with a washing machine. As a result, there may be leaks and other issues that cause water, soap, and other slippery substances to end up on the floor. This can lead to a slip and fall accident, where someone ends up with serious injuries.
Were you injured from a fall that was caused by a washing machine or a broken washer and dryer combo unit? You may have grounds to sue the product maker or the owner of the facility for monetary compensation. For more information, please schedule a free case review by contacting our office.
$465,000
Slip & Fall
$600,000
Assault and Battery
$525,000
Head Trauma
$900,000
Hand/Wrist and Back Injury
$599,000
Slip And Fall Accident
$600,000
Shoulder Injury
Defects that Can Cause Leaks in Washing Machines
Over time, there are various issues related to wear and tear that can cause a washer to leak. Alternatively, there may be quality control issues that occurred during the manufacturing process, and this is why the washing machine is leaking. Possible causes of water spills from laundry machines include:
- Clogged drain pumps
- Holes or tears in the drain hoses
- Loose hose connections
- People overloading the washer
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Defects with the water pump filter
- Water level switch malfunctions
- Faulty gaskets
- Defective or worn door seal
- Clogs in the detergent dispenser drawer
Liability for a Washing Machine Slip and Fall Injury
In order to succeed in a slip and fall claim, you must figure out who is responsible for causing the accident. Generally, one of two parties is liable when someone slip and falls down from washing machine spills and leaks:
- The owner of the laundromat, building, etc. where the accident took place
- The manufacturer of the appliance
Business and residential property owners are obligated by law to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. That means problems with appliances that have the potential to cause an accident must be resolved in a timely manner. In the meantime, measures can be taken to ensure that the washer/dryer is not used by anyone. They must also clean up any water, soap, and other residue on the floor and put up Wet Floor signs until the area is completely dry.
If you were injured from a property owner’s failure to exercise reasonable care, you have the file a personal injury lawsuit, which we can help you with here at Kenmore Law Group.
Manufacturer Liability for a Slip and Fall Incident
Accidents caused by product manufacturer are very different than cases involving negligent property owners (premises liability lawsuits). In this scenario, you are asserting that you slipped and fell because of a defect with the appliance that existed prior to it being sold to the consumer. Perhaps there was a problem at the factory or the warehouse where it was stored. Or, failure to follow industry safety standards resulted in flawed designed or mechanical issues. These and other conditions that are traced to the manufacturer are grounds for a product liability claim.
But even if the machine was malfunctioning before it was purchased, the property owner has a duty to uphold safe conditions within the facility. So, it’s up to them to arrange for repairs, have the machine replaced, or take other actions for the sake of preventing a slip and fall accident. With that in mind, it’s possible that you can sue both parties for the harm you suffered.
Don’t worry if you are overwhelmed by this information and don’t know where to start when it comes to filing a defective appliance accident claim. Our attorneys are here for you every step of the way, so contact us as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.
Statute of Limitations for a Fall Accident Injury Claim
Those who are seeking damages for an accident caused by someone else have 2 years to file a claim. With very few exceptions, the starting date for the statute of limitations is the accident date. So, you have 2 year from when you fell down and hurt yourself to file a fall injury lawsuit, whether you are suing a property owner or the manufacturer of the product. Missing this deadline will invalidate your right to compensation, so please don’t wait to contact a slip and fall lawyer who can help you with the legal process.
Zero Fee Guarantee for Accident Victims
At Kenmore Law Group, we have a team of experienced fall injury lawsuit attorneys who are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. That’s why we encourage you to contact us if you have questions about your rights and legal options. If you’re concerned about how much it will cost you to hire us, don’t worry, as we operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee.
From the very first consultation, you pay $0 towards the cost of legal fees. All expenses related to your case are recovered at the end of your lawsuit, and only if you receive compensation from the party at fault. That means you pay absolutely nothing if we fail to win your case.
Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so don’t hesitate to call if you were injured because of a defect with a washing machine.