Forensic Evaluation of a Hazardous Household Product

Abstract

Product liability litigation often follows injury to a person, then retention of human factors experts to evaluate causes of the injury. The nature of the investigation may require additional evaluations by other domain experts. This forensic case involved a man who died after using denatured alcohol as a fuel. Forensic analyses indicated that a flame arrestor, plastic fuel container, and adequate warnings most likely would have prevented this fatal incident. In addition, the analyses showed that the product manufacturer failed to guard consumers from the hazards of using the product and failed to warn consumers of the hazards that accompanied use of denatured alcohol.