Automotive technology has come a long way in recent years, with the advent of onboard computers, as well as the latest in GPS systems and other gadgets meant to make the car owner’s life easier and more comfortable.
But one of the simplest concepts in auto passenger comfort does not always work as designed. The Denver Injury Lawyers at Rosenthal & Heymann want to alert you to the potential dangers involving vehicle seats that contain a heating element.
While the concept sounds like a great luxury, especially in the Denver area, the reality is that heated car seat elements can malfunction, causing serious burn injuries to victims of defective car seats.
In 2005, a Denver man was driving home in his 2003 Volkswagen Passat after a chilly day on the slopes. The man told Denver’s KMGH TV station that he was “surprised at how fast the seat heated up, and how hot it got”. The heat was so extreme, it burned a hole in the leather car seat, as well as his ski pants.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites heated car seats as a growing safety concern. The federal government has received complaints about heated car seat burn incidents on not only two different Volkswagen models, but also on Saab, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Infiniti and Chrysler vehicles, as well. The agency has been notified of heated car seat malfunctions occurring as far back as 2000.
And if you think the solution is as simple as turning the car seat heater off when you feel it getting too hot, think again. There have also been reports of post-traumatic paraplegic and other neurologically impaired people receiving severe burns from heated car seats because they could not adequately feel the extent of the heat being emitted from the heating element.
Heated car seats do not come with an automatic shut-off mechanism, and in some cases have reached a temperature of over 115 degrees. A person can suffer a third degree burn at temperatures of 120 degrees.
If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of a malfunctioning heated car seat, the Colorado burn accident attorneys at Rosenthal & Heymann urge you to contact us to learn more about your rights, and to discuss how we can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve.
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