LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION
Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex Agree to pay $1.2 fine for Failing to Report Defective Products
On March 30th, 2005, the US Consumer Products Safety Commission announced that Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex (HB/PS) of Glen Allen, VA has agreed to pay a $1.2 million civil penalty for allegedly failing to report appropriately to the Commission in regards to problems reported with three separate products; countertop toasters, juice extractors and slow cookers.
Countertop Toasters
The CPSC alleges that certain model countertop toasters could remain on even after the food in the toaster had "popped up." Between 1997 and 1999 HB/PS had received 230 complaints of certain toasters catching fire when the materials being cooked ignited, including three consumer reports of damage to kitchen cabinets or countertops due to fires according to the CPSC allegations. The CPSC also states that the company attempted design changes in response to these complaints and reports. These toasters were manufactured for HB/PS by Durable Electrical Metal Factory Ltd., of China, from March 1997 to October 1999.
HB/PS reported these problems to the Commission in November 1999 and voluntarily recalled 95,000 of its countertop toasters in April 2000. HB/PS provided consumers a replacement toaster.
Juicers
Allegedly, HB/PS distributed the powered juicers from 1992 to October of 2001. The CPSC alleged that the juicer strainer baskets could break apart, posing a risk to consumers who could be struck by pieces of metal or plastic. Between 1992 and 2001, HB/PS received 59 consumer complaints related to the alleged defect. The injuries included four consumers who received lacerations requiring stitches and five consumers alleging eye injuries.
HB/PS reported this product to the Commission in October 2001 and voluntarily recalled 2.4 million juice extractors in November 2001. HB/PS offered consumers a replacement strainer basket, a replacement juicer, or a $10 refund, depending upon the model of juicer the consumer owned.
Slow Cookers
HB/PS imported from 1999 through December 2002, 18 different models of slow cookers manufactured by Huamei Electronics Co. Ltd., in China. CPSC alleges the slow cookers were defective because their handles could break off when the product was lifted, exposing consumers to significant burn risk. Between 1999 and 2001, HB/PS received over 2000 complaints of cracked or broken slow cooker handles, including two reports of consumers who required medical attention for burns from hot food, as well as information regarding product changes to attempt to address the problem of handles breaking. CPSC alleges that HB/PS failed to properly report these complaints and defect reports.
HB/PS first notified the Commission about this product in February 2002 and voluntarily recalled 2.7 million slow cookers in July of 2003. In January 2005, Wal-Mart recalled an additional 600,000 slow cookers imported by HB/PS. In both cases, consumers were offered a replacement slow cooker base.
Consumers who still have any of these products are instructed to contact HB/PS for replacement. In agreeing to pay this penalty, which has only been provisionally accepted by the CPSC, HB/PS states that it is not agreeing to any wrongdoing on the part of the company.
By submitting this form, you are asking lawyers to contact you. You are under no obligation to accept their services. Lawyers are usually paid out of the proceeds of the settlement or verdict rendered.
The CPSC alleges that certain model countertop toasters could remain on even after the food in the toaster had "popped up." Between 1997 and 1999 HB/PS had received 230 complaints of certain toasters catching fire when the materials being cooked ignited, including three consumer reports of damage to kitchen cabinets or countertops due to fires according to the CPSC allegations. The CPSC also states that the company attempted design changes in response to these complaints and reports. These toasters were manufactured for HB/PS by Durable Electrical Metal Factory Ltd., of China, from March 1997 to October 1999.
HB/PS reported these problems to the Commission in November 1999 and voluntarily recalled 95,000 of its countertop toasters in April 2000. HB/PS provided consumers a replacement toaster.
Allegedly, HB/PS distributed the powered juicers from 1992 to October of 2001. The CPSC alleged that the juicer strainer baskets could break apart, posing a risk to consumers who could be struck by pieces of metal or plastic. Between 1992 and 2001, HB/PS received 59 consumer complaints related to the alleged defect. The injuries included four consumers who received lacerations requiring stitches and five consumers alleging eye injuries.
HB/PS reported this product to the Commission in October 2001 and voluntarily recalled 2.4 million juice extractors in November 2001. HB/PS offered consumers a replacement strainer basket, a replacement juicer, or a $10 refund, depending upon the model of juicer the consumer owned.
HB/PS imported from 1999 through December 2002, 18 different models of slow cookers manufactured by Huamei Electronics Co. Ltd., in China. CPSC alleges the slow cookers were defective because their handles could break off when the product was lifted, exposing consumers to significant burn risk. Between 1999 and 2001, HB/PS received over 2000 complaints of cracked or broken slow cooker handles, including two reports of consumers who required medical attention for burns from hot food, as well as information regarding product changes to attempt to address the problem of handles breaking. CPSC alleges that HB/PS failed to properly report these complaints and defect reports.
HB/PS first notified the Commission about this product in February 2002 and voluntarily recalled 2.7 million slow cookers in July of 2003. In January 2005, Wal-Mart recalled an additional 600,000 slow cookers imported by HB/PS. In both cases, consumers were offered a replacement slow cooker base.
Consumers who still have any of these products are instructed to contact HB/PS for replacement. In agreeing to pay this penalty, which has only been provisionally accepted by the CPSC, HB/PS states that it is not agreeing to any wrongdoing on the part of the company.
Register your Case
If you encountered any problem similar to those described above with any Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex Toaster, Juicer, or Slow Cooker that resulted in significant property damage or injury - please fill out the form below.By submitting this form, you are asking lawyers to contact you. You are under no obligation to accept their services. Lawyers are usually paid out of the proceeds of the settlement or verdict rendered.
Published on Jul-22-05
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