To Sue or Not to Sue

Posted by kerri (275 days ago)

My connection cord on my HP laptop caught on fire recently. I took it to an electrician who said I could have been killed. How do you warn others of this, especially teenagers using laptops? Do I sue? How do you do that?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by evildeeds (275 days ago)

There are many things you need to consider first:

1. How old was the laptop?
2. Was it brand new or secondhand when you purchased it?
3. What was the state of the power cord?

Whether or not you could sue would depend on a number of factors. For a brand new laptop, quite possible. But for a well used one it would be more difficult. Deterioration would be taken into account as well as the state of the power cable. I have had the power cable on 2 domestic irons catch light because they were worn. A statement from an electrician saying you could have been killed, well thats not something that you could submit as a professional opinion as it actually isn't - that's more off the cuff!

Do you have any more information you can share?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kerri (275 days ago)

I had had it to a lab recently for inspection. Some things were upgraded and fixed. I would assume that the power cord would have been inspected.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by evildeeds (275 days ago)

Well that in itself could have had something to do with it, and even if it didn't you can be very sure that HP could use that against you, having it inspected outside of their control so to speak.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kerri (275 days ago)

It was not outside of their control. It was an HP maintenace center

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by evildeeds (275 days ago)

OK, well you weren't very clear about that! Why don't you call them and ask them what they actually to check when you have put your laptop in with them? I am a little curious as having owned an HP laptop for 3 years which has been battered all around the world, dropped, abused an still works fine I cannot see that it is a design issue.

You still haven't said how old it is and whether was new or second hand when you bought it!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kerri (275 days ago)

The laptop is under two years old and was purchased new at Fortress.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by evildeeds (275 days ago)

Well in that case I would contact HP and get them to investigate. It's rare for power cords to ignite like that.

If you wanted to sue them you would first need to get an independent inspection, and I mean a proper inspection to identify the cause. Then you could proceed with action but I would recommend you got a good lawyer as well.

(I am based in Hong Kong)