BSH Home Appliances has issued a defective product recall for nearly 2 million Tassimo coffeemakers because of potential burn hazards. According to Consumer Reports, the Tassimo Single-Cup Brewers from BSH Home Appliances can burst during brewing and spray hot water and coffee grounds or tea leaves on to consumers. So far, there have been 140 reports of cases where the Tassimo machines have caused serious burn injuries to consumers. In 37 of the incidents victims received second-degree burns. In one case, a 10-year-old Minnesota girl had to be hospitalized after suffering second-degree burns on her face and neck.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an alert warning consumers to immediately stop using these products called Tassimo T Discs, which are single-serving plastic containers of coffee used in the brewing machines. The current recall involves both Bosch and Tassimo professional branded coffee brewers. The coffeemakers were sold nationwide in stores and online for between $100 and $250. Consumers who own the single-cup coffeemakers can order and install a free replacement T disc holder from Tassimo.

Burn Injury Statistics

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2003 and 2007, an estimated 224,200 burn injuries were reported to hospital emergency rooms, of which 193,900 (86 percent) did not involve a fire. In 2005, 102 people died of unintentional injuries due to contact with hot objects and substances.

Compensation for Injured Victims

According to this news report, it appears that many of the victims have suffered second-degree burns as a result of these defective products. Second-degree burns affect both the outer-layer and the underlying layer of the skin. Second-degree burns can cause redness, pain, swelling and blisters, and can affect sweat glands and hair follicles. If a deep second-degree burn is not properly treated, it can become a third-degree burn.

Product manufacturers have a duty to consumers to manufacture products that are safe to use. Victims who have suffered injuries as a result of defective products would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will hold the negligent manufacturers liable. Injured consumers can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.