Lawsuit claims thermostat caused baby's death.Byline: The Register-Guard Lawyers for a Eugene couple whose 17-month-old child died from dehydration dehydration Method of food preservation in which moisture (primarily water) is removed. Dehydration inhibits the growth of microorganisms and often reduces the bulk of food. and other heat-induced reactions are warning area residents to check home thermostats that control wall heaters in their children's bedrooms. The suspect thermostat thermostat, automatic device that regulates temperature in an enclosed area by controlling heating or refrigerating systems. It is commonly connected to one of these systems, turning it on or off in order to maintain a predetermined temperature. is a Southeast Industries Inc., model S22A. Several were installed in October 1995, in at least 45 homes in Eugene like the one purchased by Bradley Dawson and Rose Van Decar, parents of Avery Robert Dawson. Avery Dawson died Jan. 15, 2003, when the thermostat failed to shut off as the temperature climbed in the room where the child slept, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a $3.5 million product liability and wrongful death The taking of the life of an individual resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons. If a person is killed because of the wrongful conduct of a person or persons, the decedent's heirs and other beneficiaries may file a wrongful death action lawsuit lawsuit: see procedure; tort. the couple has filed against Southeast Industries and J.B. Electric Co., which allegedly installed the thermostat. "Recent testing of the subject thermostat and another similar thermostat from a neighbor's house resulted in both thermostats failing to operate properly in a manner that would shut off a wall heater when a room reached a maximum temperature of between 88 and 90 degrees," Tacoma lawyer Terry Lumsden said in a news release late Wednesday. Officials of neither Southeast Industries nor J.B. Electric Co. could be reached for comment late Wednesday. |
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