Motorized awning covers distributed by SunSetter and Costco Wholesale are being recalled after a 73-year-old man died when one operated unexpectedly, knocking him off a ladder. According to a news report, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for Vinyl SunSetter Motorized Awnings after getting 14 reports of incidents including one report of a death and six reports of injuries.
Details of the Recall
The recall includes about 270,000 vinyl units used with SunSetter Motorized, Motorized XL, Motorized PRO, Motorized PROXL, and Oasis Freestanding Motorized Retractable Awnings. The affected products were distributed by SunSetter and Costco Wholesale from June 1999 to January 2019 and were supplied with bungee tie-downs. CPSC says the 73-year-old man died after falling from a ladder and over a balcony when a motorized awning opened unexpectedly with force. This caused him to fall and suffer fatal injuries.
Anyone who has these covers at home is being advised not to attempt to install or remove motorized awnings until they get proper instructions from SunSetter. Consumers should contact the business for free breakaway safety clips to replace the bungee tie-downs along with instructions for the clips and how to safely remove any installed tie-downs. Anyone with questions about these recalled products is urged to call SunSetter at 1-844-313-0144 or visit sunsetter.com.
Dangerous Products and Liability
Based on this news report, it appears that these defective awning covers could suddenly malfunction, open with force and cause people to fall down and injure themselves. It is unclear when the company discovered this problem with the product malfunctioning since these products have been sold for about 20 years. As product defect attorneys who represent the rights of injured victims and their families, we hope the CPSC is looking into whether the manufacturer informed CPSC about these dangerous and defective products in a timely manner and whether or not they issued a timely recall.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dangerous or defective product, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, retailer, distributor and other parties. Injured victims maybe able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Families that have lost loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and love, care and companionship.
