Two women seeking therapy for scarring purchased an infrared
therapy lamp from Amazon based on recommendations and reviews. They
suffered third degree burns despite using as directed. They're now
suing Amazon for selling a dangerous and defective product.
SEATTLE, July 18,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new lawsuit has
been filed against Amazon.com on behalf of two women badly burned
by a defective and dangerous infrared light therapy lamp they
purchased on the shopping site.
"Our clients placed their trust in Amazon
and the safety of the products sold on its platform. They were
betrayed, leading to life-altering injuries. Amazon is and should
be held responsible for selling dangerous products."
The suit, filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle, alleges that Amazon, along with other
defendants, failed to ensure the safety and functionality of the
heat lamp sold on its platform. The failure resulted in significant
injuries including third degree burns.
The plaintiffs seek justice for the physical and emotional
trauma inflicted upon them by the unsafe and negligently marketed
infrared light therapy heat lamps. The suit was filed by the law
firms of Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC and Hayes Law, A.P.C.
Amanda Jeffries, a resident of
Jefferson County, Colorado, and
Wendy Hummer, a resident of
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, both
purchased Serfory Near Infrared Light Therapy Heat Lamps from
Amazon.com. The lamps, which were intended to aid in healing and
tissue repair post-surgery, instead resulted in full-thickness
third-degree burns, causing permanent disfigurement and scarring.
The women relied on the high ratings and Amazon Prime eligibility
of these products, trusting Amazon's platform for their safety and
efficacy.
Darrell L. Cochran, lead attorney
on the case with Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC stated, "Our
clients placed their trust in Amazon and the safety of the products
sold on its platform. They were betrayed, leading to life-altering
injuries. We aim to hold Amazon and the responsible manufacturers
accountable for their actions."
BACKGROUND
After undergoing corrective surgery for Diastasis Recti, Ms.
Jeffries purchased the heat lamp based on recommendations from a
support group and Amazon's high product ratings. Despite following
the product's instructions, she suffered severe burns, leading to
significant medical treatment, including debridement and scar
revision surgery. Ms. Jeffries continues to endure physical and
emotional pain, along with a permanent, disfiguring scar.
Ms. Hummer purchased the same heat lamp following multiple
surgeries, including a hysterectomy and abdominoplasty. After using
the lamp as instructed, she also sustained third-degree burns,
necessitating extensive medical treatment. Despite ongoing efforts
to treat the injury, Ms. Hummer remains with a significant scar and
continues to suffer emotionally and physically.
AMAZON'S LIABILITY
The lawsuit alleges that Amazon, as a direct retailer and
distributor of the defective heat lamps, failed in its duty to
ensure the safety of the products sold on its platform. The
complaint outlines Amazon's significant role in the distribution
chain, from storing and shipping the product to handling customer
transactions. Furthermore, the manufacturers, Serfory and
Shenzhenshi Hongge Technology Co., Ltd., are accused of producing
and selling a product that was not reasonably safe for its intended
use, lacking adequate warnings and instructions.
Amazon and the other defendants are accused of negligence in the
design, manufacture, distribution, and sale of the heat lamps. The
lawsuit highlights their failure to provide adequate warnings about
the risks associated with the product's use, especially
post-surgery.
The suit accuses Amazon of breaching express and implied
warranties, including the warranty of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose, misleading the plaintiffs into believing
the heat lamps were safe.
It also argues Amazon and the other defendants failed to
exercise reasonable care in warning users of the heat lamps'
potential to cause burns, leading to severe injuries to the
plaintiffs.
NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
The suit is one of many filed against Amazon in a number of
states for selling dangerous or defective products. The company
argues that it is merely a platform for sales and is not
responsible for the actions of individual manufacturers and
sellers. But according to Cochran, Amazon continues to skirt
consumer protection laws and should be held accountable for selling
"shoddy" products it knows can cause injury.
"This is an extremely important case not only for our clients,
but all consumers. Amazon has a virtual monopoly, and it has a
responsibility to safeguard its customers. No one should have to
worry whether a product sold on Amazon is going to cause serious,
life altering injuries. And the company can no longer hide behind
its arguments of immunity. With this case and many others, we
intend to bring enough pressure to bear that the company finally
changes its practices, steps up, and starts doing the right thing,"
Cochran stated.
Ms. Jeffries and Ms. Hummer seek compensatory damages for their
medical expenses, physical and emotional suffering, and permanent
disfigurement. They also seek punitive damages to hold Amazon and
the other defendants accountable for their negligence and to
prevent similar incidents in the future.
Media Contact
Josh Kerns, PCVA Law, 1
206-920-1482, josh@cypresspointstrategic.com, www.pcvalaw.com
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SOURCE PCVA Law