While this particular product recall apparently hasn’t resulted in any known serious injuries, the potential is there, waiting… Not everyone is going to hear the news about Cummins Power Generation 550 portable generators. The consumer safety industry also chimed in on this recall, pointing out that it is illegal to resell or try to resell a recalled product – just in case anyone had any bright ideas about trying to do so.
This recall occurred when it was discovered that fuel could leak through the carburetor in the course of normal use. This could cause a potentially dangerous fire hazard to consumers. The maker of this generator, Loncin Industries, is based in China. The distributor, Cummins Power, has received and documented at least 25 reports of fuel leakage. There have been no reports of personal injuries, but this may change over time. Of concern is that any product that causes an unexpected fire could also cause serious injuries to anyone using it. An fire-induced explosion could cause catastrophic injuries to the user or innocent bystanders in the vicinity of use.
The Cummins Onan portable generators have/had the serial numbers on the generator’s name plate and affected models sold on or after June 2009 and before December 2009. Those model numbers were: P5350; P5350c; P5450e; P5450ec; P5550e and those with serial numbers starting with F09 through L09.
While the firm made the effort to contact “known” users of this product, they of course would not be able to account for users they don’t know about. If a user of this product is unaware of the danger of use and sustains serious injuries, the maker and distributor should be liable for damages.
Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life funding is needed during litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.
