Visitor Question

Light Bulb Exploded and Burned Child…

Submitted By: Toney (Texas)

We were sitting in our living room when the bulb in the ceiling fan exploded. The pieces of the bulb fell and burned the upper lip of my 15 month old child.

We did not do anything to the fan or bulb.

These are the same bulbs that have been in the apartment since we moved in 3 yrs ago. The two other rooms have the same bulbs installed.

My question: Is there any legal action that can be taken? Damages? Money for pain and suffering? Thanks.

Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.

Answer

Dear Toney,

Hopefully your child didn’t suffer any serious injuries. If your child was injured and required medical attention you certainty would have a legitimate claim against the landlord.

From the facts you present the bulb was installed either by the landlord, or by the previous tenant. Even if the bulb was installed by the previous tenant it would probably be the responsibility of the landlord to have made sure the bulbs in your apartment were either changed or at least monitored for wear before leasing the property to you.

Absent any medical bills or medical attention your son may have required at the time of the explosion, now or into the future, you really don’t have a claim.

A claim must be predicated upon a verifiable medical injury. The injury and the cost of the treatment are what insurance settlements are normally based upon.

Now that you are aware of the possibility of exploding bulbs in the house it’s your responsibility to change them. If you don’t and another bulb explodes and injures someone you will have a difficult time pursuing a legitimate legal claim.

A person must take all reasonable action to mitigate a potential hazard when they become aware of it.

This would certainly be a good time for to think about changing all of the bulbs in the apartment.

Learn more here: Dangerous and Unsafe Furniture Claims

The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.

We wish you the best with your claim,

Published:

2 thoughts on “Light Bulb Exploded and Burned Child…

  1. David says:

    A GE lightbulb exploded beside my bed and burnt my house to the ground.

  2. Daniel says:

    I was injured by a light bulb that was in my home from a fan. I tried to remove the spiral bulb from a fan in a rental property and it was hard to remove. Well it shattered as I tried to remove it.

    When it broke in my hand it injected a large fragment of glass containing Mercury. My hand instantly swelled and I ended up requiring surgery.

    Unfortunately I had no insurance at the time and ended up running up bills to over 50k. I have four children and these doctors bills have drowned my family. I spoke to a few local attorneys and nobody would touch my claim.

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