Fumes, Fire, and Faulty Designs: Who’s Liable When Gas-Powered Equipment Fails?

Gas-powered equipment is used daily, from lawnmowers buzzing through suburban streets to portable generators powering homes through storms. But when these machines malfunction, the results can be devastating, causing fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, or serious bodily harm.

Whether a lawnmower bursts into flames or a generator leaks fuel, product defects in gas-powered equipment can turn trusted tools into dangerous ones. 

Common Hazards of Gas-Powered Equipment

Gas-powered devices are popular for mobility and reliability, but have higher risk factors than electric alternatives. Common injuries and accidents involving gas-powered tools include:

• Fires and Explosions: Faulty fuel systems, poor ventilation, or design flaws can cause spontaneous ignition or combustion.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Generators used indoors or too close to homes can emit deadly levels of CO gas, often without warning.
• Lacerations and Amputations: Lawnmowers, chainsaws, and trimmers with defective blades or safety mechanisms can cause severe physical trauma.
• Burn Injuries: Hot engine surfaces or leaking fuel components can result in serious burns, particularly in children or unsuspecting users.
• Mechanical Failures: Brakes, throttles, or shut-off switches that don't function properly can lead to loss of control and collisions.

In many of these incidents, user error isn't the root cause; the product fails to meet safety standards.

Types of Product Defects

In a legal context, injuries caused by gas-powered equipment typically fall under three main categories of product defects:

• Design Defect: The product was inherently unsafe, even before manufacturing, for example, a generator designed without proper ventilation safeguards.
• Manufacturing Defect: The product design was safe, but something went wrong during production, like a faulty fuel line or substandard engine part.
• Failure to Warn (Marketing Defect): The product lacked adequate instructions or warnings about known dangers. This is common with generators that don’t caution against indoor use.

These defects can result in legal liability if they cause property damage, injury, or even death.

Real-World Examples

Gas-powered devices are often the subject of recalls and lawsuits. 

• Portable generators have been linked to numerous carbon monoxide deaths, prompting repeated warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Some brands have been recalled for a lack of CO shut-off features.
• Riding lawn mowers have been recalled due to fire hazards caused by fuel tank leaks or electrical malfunctions.
• Gas trimmers and leaf blowers have caused hand injuries due to unexpected start-ups or exposed moving parts.

These aren’t isolated issues; they are part of a widespread pattern of inadequate design, quality control, or warning systems across the industry.

Who Can Be Liable?

Product liability laws are designed to protect consumers from dangerous goods. Depending on the situation, the following parties may be held responsible for a defective gas-powered product:

• Manufacturers: The entity that designed or built the defective equipment.
• Retailers: Stores that sold the product may be liable if they failed to remove recalled items from shelves.
• Distributors: Companies involved in the supply chain may be responsible if the defect occurred during transport or storage.
• Third-Party Maintenance Companies: If faulty repairs or installations contributed to the incident.

Establishing liability often requires a detailed investigation and expert analysis, especially when multiple parties are involved.

What Victims May Recover

If a faulty gas-powered device has injured you, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
• Lost income and reduced earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Wrongful death (in fatal incidents)

Importantly, product liability cases are not limited to workers or homeowners; anyone injured by a defective device, including bystanders and children, may have a claim.

Why Legal Action Matters

Filing a product liability claim is about more than personal recovery; it’s about protecting others from facing the same danger. When companies are held accountable for cutting corners, future injuries can be prevented. Legal action can also lead to stronger regulations, better product design, and, in many cases, nationwide recalls.

Product liability claims send a clear message: consumer safety is not optional.

When Everyday Equipment Turns Dangerous, Know Your Rights

Gas-powered devices are meant to make life easier, not more dangerous. If a lawnmower, generator, or similar product caused harm to you or someone you love, it's important to understand your legal options. Don’t accept the blame for a company’s negligence.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve been standing up to powerful manufacturers for over 35 years—fighting for everyday people who were hurt through no fault of their own. With a nationwide team and billions recovered for our clients, we’re here to help you get the justice you deserve.