Woman Is Severely Burned In Space Heater Fire

Case Overview

This claim involves an apartment fire that was allegedly caused by a space heater. The fire took place in January a week after the heating system in the plaintiff’s apartment stopped working. The plaintiff had been using the space heater at night and kept it within several feet of her bed. The plaintiff had also allegedly taken great care not to place the heater too close to clothing, carpets, or furniture. One night, the space heater suddenly caught fire. As a result of the fire, the plaintiff suffered burn injuries to her hand and arm as well as long-term breathing complications secondary to smoke inhalation. An engineering expert familiar with space heater design was sought to conduct testing and analysis of the heater in question and explain what caused the device to combust.

Questions to the Electrical expert and their responses

Are you familiar with the space heater in question? If so, please explain.

I am a licensed professional engineer with a master's degree and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. I previously served as chief of safety and engineering for the US Army Communications Electronics Command, and I currently run a private electrical engineering consultancy. I am also a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Electrical Inspectors. I am familiar with the space heater in question. In fact, I have reviewed a similar case with a virtually identical space heater.

How would you conduct fire safety testing of a space heater?

I have test facilities for electrical and temperature testing in accordance with UL 1278, the appropriate standard for the heater.

About the expert

This expert has over 20 years of experience in the field of electrical engineering. He earned his BS from Seton Hall University, his MS in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland, his MS in business management from the Florida Institute of Technology, and his PhD in electrical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Today, he is a licensed professional engineer in the state of New Jersey. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the National Fire Protection Association, the Lightning Protection Institute, and the International Association of Electrical Inspectors and he holds four patents. This expert previously served as an electrical engineer in the directorate for safety and as an engineering branch chief for the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. In these roles, his responsibilities included setting safety standards, serving as a technical advisor, and investigating electrical and fire accidents. Currently, he serves as the owner and principal consulting engineer of an electrical engineering consultancy in New Jersey. In addition, he serves as the engineering branch chief of the electronics division of a U.S. Army command.