Corpus Christi Jury Awards $36.2M in Product Liability Fire
A fire started in a home, leading to the deaths of two elderly residents. The fire was believed to have originated from a ceramic heater. The family of the deceased sued the heater manufacturer, alleging a manufacturing defect caused the fire. The defense argued the heater was not defective and pointed to other potential ignition sources. The jury found the manufacturer liable for the deaths.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $36,240,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Burns / Lacerations
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- burns, other, death
Case Overview
On January 3, 2016, an 89-year-old retiree and his 86-year-old wife died in a house fire at their home in Corpus Christi. The fire originated in the wife's bedroom, where a ceramic air heater, imported by Lasko Products LLC, was present. The decedents' adult children subsequently sued Lasko, alleging a manufacturing defect in the heater caused the fatal blaze.
Plaintiffs presented expert testimony identifying an electrical defect and internal arcing within the heater as the fire's cause. Their cause and origin expert concluded the heater was the sole ignition source, an opinion partially supported by a fire department investigator. Evidence of the defendant's internal reports on imported heaters not meeting specifications was also introduced.
The defendant, Lasko, denied a manufacturing defect, citing no fire complaints among 1.3 million imported heaters and detailing its inspection protocols. A defense expert argued ceramic heaters could not fail as alleged, explaining their inherent safety. The defense also noted the fire department's report listed the fire's cause as undetermined due to multiple potential ignition sources, including an electric adjustable bed and a power strip. The defense questioned the plaintiff's expert's methodology and the heater's long operational history.
After a seven-day trial, a jury found Lasko liable for the decedents' deaths. The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $36,240,000. This included damages for pain and mental anguish, medical and funeral expenses for both estates, and significant awards for the surviving children for loss of companionship, society, and mental anguish.
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