Recalls have been issued for retractable awnings due to electrical shock and injury hazards. A death occurred when a man fell off a ladder after a motorized awning opened and hit him.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting awning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or died after using a defective awning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Overview
An awning is a type of overhanging canopy that provides shade and protection from rain, wind, or sun. They can be stationary or retractable, with motorized and hand-cranked versions.
What is the Risk?
Awnings can pose some serious safety hazards. They can collapse suddenly and injure people underneath. In recent years, recalls have been issued for motorized awnings due to electrical shock hazards, or because the awning can open suddenly and hit a person.
Costco SunSetter Awnings Recalled After 1 Death
In August 2019, Sunsetter recalled the covers on its motorized awnings after a 73-year-old man died when he fell off a ladder after the awning opened unexpectedly and hit him.
SunSetter motorized awnings were sold at Costco Wholesale stores and other retailers between June 1999 and January 2019. The recall affects roughly 270,000 units that were sold the United States.
If the motorized awning is turned “on” when the cover is still secured with the bungee tie-downs, when the bungee tie-downs are removed, the awning can swing open with enough force to injure a person.
SunSetter has received 14 reports of incidents, including 6 people who were injured and 1 death.
The company is offering free breakaway safety clips to replace the bungee tie-downs provided with the cover. The recall involves the following models:
- SunSetter Motorized
- Motorized XL
- Motorized PRO
- Motorized PROXL
- Oasis Freestanding Motorized Retractable Awnings
Motorized Awning Recalled for Electrical Shock Hazard
In November 2010, Somfy Systems recalled approximately 4,600 motorized awnings due to an electrical shock hazard.
The problem is that the awning motor’s power cable can be severed while the awning is opened or closed manually, posing a risk of electrical shock to the user, according to the recall notice.
The recalled awnings were sold nationwide from December 2009 through September 2010. The manufacturer warns that consumers should immediately stop using recalled awning motors and the crank.
Do I have a Defective Awning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting awning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or died after using a defective awning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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