In the harsh winters of Chicago, portable space heaters are common sources of heat, but they are potentially hazardous. Misuse or defects can lead to winter house fires, causing serious consequences including serious burn injuries, smoke inhalation, loss of life, and more. A Chicago space heater fire lawyer from our firm is ready to help you seek justice. If you’re a victim of such a disaster, you can rely on the experienced house fire lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers to help secure fair compensation for your losses due to others’ negligence or a manufacturing or design defect.
In this Article
How Safe Is an Electric Space Heater?
Electric space heaters, while convenient, carry inherent risks. They can overheat, have faulty wiring, or tip over, potentially sparking home heating fires. While most space heaters primarily pose a fire hazard, certain types can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning (CO), a potentially deadly condition. Fuel-burning space heaters, such as those that use propane, natural gas, kerosene, or oil, emit carbon monoxide during operation.
Safety of electric heaters largely depends on the model’s quality, the user’s vigilance, and compliance with safety guidelines.
What Are the Safety Guidelines for Using Space Heaters?
When operating a space heater, it is important to follow the safety guidelines and utilize safety features to avoid fire risk, electric shock, or home fires:
Placement: Keep heater on a flat, non-flammable surface, away from flammable objects.
Supervision: Never leave a functioning heater unattended; always turn portable electric heaters off before leaving.
Inspection: Regularly check for signs of wear or damage—especially the heating element— to prevent malfunction. Make sure that your model is not on the Consumer Product Safety Commission list of recalled space heaters.
Usage: Follow manufacturer’s guidelines; avoid using an extension cord, pay close attention to the wall outlet. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, space heaters can overload and overheat a power strip, as well as extension cords, and potentially cause a house fire.
What Causes Most Space Heater Fires?
There are several common reasons that space heaters cause fires including:
Improper Placement: Heaters near flammable materials that can catch fire.
Overloading Power Outlets: Overload can result in electrical fires.
Equipment Malfunction: Faulty wiring, power cord, or design can cause fires.
Lack of Maintenance: Dust accumulation can trigger overheating, leading to fires.
When Are Space Heater Fires Valid Personal Injury Claims?
Space heater fires can lead to valid personal injury claims when home heating fire deaths or injuries resulted from manufacturer defects, inadequate warnings or instructions for heating equipment, or negligence by a property owner or a third party.
What Should I Do if My Space Heater Causes a Fire?
If your portable heaters cause a fire, prioritize safety by immediately evacuating and calling 911 for local fire departments’ help. Once safe, report the incident to your insurance company, document any damage, and consult with a personal injury lawyer to explore potential compensation avenues.
Example Compensation for Injuries from a Space Heater
Injured victims may be eligible to seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
How Can a Lawyer Help In Space Heater Fire Cases?
A Chicago space heater attorney from our law firm can help by investigating the cause of the fire, including examining the product or property and collecting evidence. We may consult with industry experts to support your case. We’ll negotiate with insurance companies to seek compensation, and if necessary, we’ll represent you in court to hold responsible parties accountable.
Contact a Chicago Space Heater Fire Lawyer Today
In a situation when space heaters cause harm or property damage to you or your family as the result of someone else’s negligence, reach out to The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers.
Contact us now for a free consultation. During our meeting, we will assess your case, discuss legal options, and answer any questions you may have.
If space heaters cause harm or property damage to you or your family as the result of someone else's negligence, The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help.
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Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
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$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
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$500,000
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$460,000
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$450,000
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$425,000
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$425,000
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$415,000
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$400,000
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$370,000
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$315,000
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$310,000
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$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
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$175,000
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$170,000
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$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700