Insurer files product liability suit after robo-vacuum allegedly ignites house
Homesite Insurance paid the homeowners $691,305.12 under the terms of their insurance policy, according to the complaint.
Law firm Cozen O’Connor has filed a subrogation lawsuit against Wyze Labs in federal court on behalf of Homesite Insurance for property damage stemming from a fire allegedly caused by a robotic vacuum cleaner.
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Homesite provided insurance coverage to Frayda and Yehuda Bidnick for their property in Toms River, New Jersey. On Nov. 21, the Bidnicks’ robotic vacuum cleaner was operating in their front foyer when it jammed. The complaint alleged that a defect in the vacuum cleaner caused it to catch on fire, causing substantial damage to the home. Homesite paid the Bidnicks $691,305.12 under the terms of their insurance policy, according to the complaint.
Steven K. Gerber, a member of Cozen O’Connor, filed the suit April 22 in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, on behalf of the insurer against Wyze Labs, the vacuum manufacturer. The one-count complaint alleged a claim of strict products liability, stating that the vacuum was unreasonably dangerous and unsafe for its intended purpose due to defective design and lack of adequate warnings.
Homesite requested a judgment in its favor, as well as compensatory damages, interest and attorney fees.
Gerber did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Counsel has not yet appeared for the defendant, and Wyze did not immediately respond to a request for comment.