If you are like many Americans, you most likely have a plastic gas can stored in your shed or garage to use for your lawn mower or in the event that your vehicle runs out of fuel. However, while these cans appear to be relatively harmless, they may be prone to exploding due to a lack of a flame arrester. It is estimated that 95 percent of the millions of gas cans produced each year in the U.S. are made out of plastic. One company, Blitz, produces 150 million cans, three quarters of the total number of cans.
However, some of the cans manufactured by Blitz did not come equipped with a flame arrester, a component that is designed to disrupt the flame so that the fumes diminish into the air when the gasoline is poured. This lack of a flame arrester has reportedly been the cause of several explosions, severe burns, and death.
Contact Attorney Group for Kansas today if you or someone you love has sustained injuries or burns following a Blitz gas can explosion. You may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and file a Kansas Blitz gas can lawsuit. We can help you determine whether you are eligible to file a Kansas Blitz gas can lawsuit, free of charge, and connect you with one of our affiliated attorneys.
Blitz Gas Can Overview
According to plaintiffs filing lawsuits against the manufacturer, Blitz failed to adequately warn of the risks of explosions, burns, and injuries. As a result, the media has reported 75 separate accidents pertaining to burns and fatalities that occurred due to the lack of a flame arrester on a Blitz gas can. Of the 14 people that have died, six were children. Since 1998, gas can explosions have resulted in 1,200 emergency room visits and 11 deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Those who have sustained injuries like head-to-toe burns require lengthy stays in medical facilities, skin grafts, and numerous surgeries to help repair the damage caused by the explosion. Consequently, many victims find themselves struggling financially to cover the cost of these added and unexpected expenses. You may be entitled to file a Kansas Blitz gas can lawsuit to seek compensation for these damages if you were the victim of a Blitz gas can explosion.
Plaintiffs File Lawsuits Against Blitz
Consumers have the right to expect that any product they purchase or use as directed will not cause significant harm or damage. If a product can cause complications or adverse effects, the manufacturer is required to warn consumers of this risk prior to use. However, according to those filing lawsuits against Blitz, the company failed to provide this warning. You may be eligible to file a Kansas Blitz gas can lawsuit if you sustained injuries in an explosion and you were not adequately informed of the risks.
At least 80 lawsuits have been filed over the last 20 years on behalf of victims and their family members. According to court documents, Blitz gas cans are more likely to explode due to the mixing of the escaping vapors with the spark or flame because of the lack of a flame arrestor. Two defendants have been named in most of the lawsuits: Blitz and Wal-Mart, the retailer of the gas cans. Wal-Mart agreed to a $25 million settlement in December 2013, and both companies agreed to pay $161 million towards the resolution of additional settlements.
Eligible to File a Kansas Blitz Gas Can Lawsuit?
Have you or someone you love sustained injuries following a Blitz gas can explosion and you would like to learn more about your legal options? Attorney Group for Kansas can provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to help you determine whether you are eligible to file a Kansas Blitz gas can lawsuit. If you are, we can put you in touch with one of our affiliated attorneys who can file your Kansas Blitz gas can lawsuit and assist you throughout the legal process. Call today.
