Good Earth Lighting Recalls 1.2 Million Rechargeable Lights Due To Fire Hazard

Product Recalls - June 10, 2024

Good Earth Lighting Recalled Over 1.2 Million Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights Over Fire Hazard;  One Death Reported So Far

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (June 10, 2024) – Good Earth Lighting has recalled over 1.2 million rechargeable integrated lights due to concerns that they pose a fire hazard.

According to the recall notice, the recalled light batteries can overheat and ignite the plastic housing. More than 1.2 million of the lights were sold in the United States, and 37,800 were sold in Canada.

The recall comes after one death has been reported. In addition to the death, there were several reports of the light overheating, including six instances of fires and property damage.

The specific name of the product is “Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights.” Recalled products have a model number starting with RE1122, RE1145, RE1362 and RE1250.

Liability For Fires Started By Faulty Lights

Lithium-ion batteries are used in literally billions of different electronics and consumer goods all over the world. But these batteries can also create a fire hazard in certain circumstances. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “[lithium ion] batteries provide an effective and efficient source of power, the likelihood of them overheating, catching on fire, and even leading to explosions increases when they are damaged or improperly used, charged, or stored.” Many fires are also caused by defects with the batteries.

• Manufacturing Defects: Flaws such as burrs or metal particles within the battery can cause internal short circuits.
• Faulty Chargers: The charger sold with a product that uses lithium-ion batteries may be faulty. This can lead to overcharging, which can cause the battery to overheat and catch fire.
• Poor Heat Disputation: Inadequate cooling within a battery unit can also result in overheating.
• Inadequate Protection: Missing or ineffective protection circuits can fail to prevent overcharging and short circuits.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any instance where a light led to a fire and injury. Generally speaking, companies can be liable for the defects associated with their products. If the light was inherently unsafe due to a design defect, the manufacturer could be liable. A manufacturer could also be responsible if a light was not made to design specifications, which rendered it unsafe. A manufacturer could also be liable for failing to warn about the non-obvious dangers associated with their products.

The retailer that sold a light, like Walmart or Target, could also potentially be liable if a light caught fire and caused injury or death. A retailer may have failed to properly inspect the product or ignored obvious signs that it was defective. When a retailer has actual or constructive notice that a product is potentially dangerous, they must cease to sell it. In that respect, a retailer could be liable for failing to remove recalled products from their store shelves. It is important that several steps be taken after a fire is sparked by a light.

• It should be determined if the light was part of a product recall.
• Medical records related to any injury should be preserved.
• The light involved in the fire should be carefully examined.
• An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

Residential fires are often some of the most difficult events that people can go through. In an instant, victims can lose all of their earthly possessions. This says nothing about the serious injuries that people may also deal with. It is important for victims of these fires to understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured due to a faulty consumer good may be able to seek some level of justice through a civil claim.

Investigating Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights Fires

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the individuals and families affected by Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights. More needs to be done to ensure that consumers are not inadvertently exposed to dangerous products. No person should have their life turned upside down because they were simply trying to buy a functional light.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured after using Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to getting clients the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.