Scottish Woman Wins Case Against LG After House Fire Caused by Work-Issued Phone
In a landmark ruling, a Scottish woman has successfully won her case against LG Electronics after a judge determined that her work-issued phone was responsible for a devastating house fire in 2018. The case, presided over by Sheriff Robert Fife at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, has raised significant questions about product safety and corporate responsibility.
The Incident
On October 31, 2018, Denise Parks and her husband, Robert, were abruptly awakened around 3:00 AM by smoke filling their home in Coatbridge. The couple had gone to bed the previous evening, leaving three electronic devices plugged in and charging on their sofa: an Acer Aspire ES 13 laptop, a Samsung Galaxy S7, and an LG K8 smartphone. All devices were connected to the same extension cord, setting the stage for a critical investigation into the cause of the fire.
Investigation and Findings
Forensic experts Darren Green and Mark Phillips were called in to assess the damage to the Parks’ home and the electronic devices. Their investigation revealed stark differences in the fire damage sustained by the devices. While the Samsung and Acer showed minimal damage, the LG K8 was severely affected. The battery of the LG phone was found to be distended and had a hole in it, with most of its plastic and combustible materials consumed by the fire.
The HTC charger used for the LG K8 was also examined and deemed safe, as it delivered voltage and amps within LG’s guidelines. This finding ruled out the charger as a potential cause of the fire, placing the blame squarely on the LG device itself.
Legal Proceedings
Sheriff Fife’s ruling was based on the evidence presented, which indicated that the LG K8 was in normal use at the time of the fire. He stated, "The court was entitled to draw an inference that the LG was defective." According to the judgment, the phone did not meet the safety standards that consumers generally expect, leading to a breach of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
As a result of the ruling, Parks was awarded £149,496 ($199,897) in damages. This amount included compensation for her insurer, which had previously paid out £95,385.75 ($127,539.81) in 2020, along with interest of £47,598.49 ($63,644.98).
Impact on Denise Parks
The fire had a profound impact on Denise Parks, who was treated for smoke inhalation. A psychologist later concluded that her mental health had deteriorated following the incident, exacerbating her existing anxiety and panic attacks. This led to her being absent from work for three months, during which she was required to repay North Lanarkshire Council £2,261.48 ($3,023.49) in sick pay.
Sheriff Fife acknowledged the psychological toll the fire had taken on Parks, noting that her condition worsened significantly after the incident.
Conclusion
This case serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of product safety and accountability. The ruling against LG not only highlights the potential dangers associated with defective electronic devices but also emphasizes the need for companies to ensure their products meet safety standards. As technology continues to evolve, the expectation for consumer safety remains paramount, and this case may set a precedent for future legal actions involving product liability.
The Register has reached out to LG for a statement regarding the ruling, but the implications of this case will likely resonate within both the legal and consumer electronics communities for some time to come.