Between April and October 2020, Home Depot sold nearly 180,000 Hampton Bay Mara 54-inch indoor and outdoor ceiling fans in various colors. A recall was issued by the manufacturer, King of Fans, after it received 47 complaints of the fan blades separating while the fan was in motion. There were two reports of people being injured by the airborne blades while four others reported property damage.
Manufacturers and merchants have a responsibility to sell products that are fit and safe for consumption. There is an implied warranty guaranteeing that the product will operate in the manner it was intended. Once a product has been determined to be unsafe due to a defect, it should be recalled or repaired at no cost to the consumer.
In the District of Columbia, a manufacturer of a defective product is strictly liable for injuries or property damage resulting from use of its product if:
- the product was defective, meaning that it was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose or not of usable quality; and
- as a result of the defect, the product caused injury or property damage.
As evidenced by the existing complaints, an airborne fan blade dislodged from its base could cause significant physical injury or substantial property damage. If you purchased this fan between April and October 2020, it is advised to discontinue using it until it is repaired, or until you know that your fan was not affected. To check whether your ceiling fans are defective, visit an instructional video posted by the company at: kingoffans.com/MaraRecall.htm.
If you have been injured by a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer or merchant under DC’s products liability laws. At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, our Washington D.C. personal injury attorneys are dedicated to get you the justice that you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation at (831) 708-0298.
SOURCES:
Picker X-Ray Corp. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 185 A.2d 919 (D.C. 1962).
Payne v. Soft Sheen Prod., Inc., 486 A.2d 712 (D.C. 1985).