Fire Danger Due to Hazardous Dryer Vents Revealed in Lawsuits Filed by Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The hazardous installation of metal foil and plastic dryer vents has been linked to hundreds of fires and fatalities across the country, according to lawsuits filed today by Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP ("Coughlin Stoia") against appliance retailers who disregard clear warnings while installing dryers.

Virtually all dryer manufacturers mandate the use of heavy metal dryer vents. The warning label on most dryers plainly states: "INSTALLATION WARNING. Fire Hazard. Use a heavy metal vent. Do not use a plastic vent. Do not use a metal foil vent. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or fire."

According to a complaint filed against Sears (NASDAQ:SHLD) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Sears' website asks potential customers: "'Have you ever tried to install a product and later worried that a connection wasn't safe, or that you may have missed an important step?' Holding itself and its installers out as experts, Sears then answers its own rhetorical question, representing in writing to its prospective customers nationwide that, 'There's no need to worry anymore. Our professional installers are skilled, trained, experienced, and equipped with the right tools to do the job properly.'" However, Sears often disregards the unambiguous warnings on the dryers by failing to install the heavy metal vents mandated by the manufacturers.

"It's outrageous that these big box retailers are endangering their customers by blatantly disregarding crystal clear warnings," said Attorney David P. Meyer of David P. Meyer & Associates Co.

"Metal foil or plastic dryer vents are ticking time-bombs," said Paul Geller, an attorney with Coughlin Stoia. "We urge people to check their dryer vents to make sure they comply with manufacturers' guidelines." Geller urges consumers to review information available www.csgrr.com/dryervents to see if they are at risk.

In addition to Sears, other defendants named in the suits detailing the dryer vent fire danger include HHGregg (NYSE:HGG) and Lowe's (NYSE:LOW).

Consumer groups and government agencies have previously warned against using dryer vents made of plastic or foil. In 2003, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that to prevent a fire, owners should "Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow."

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (Division of U.S. Department of Homeland Security), clothes dryers were involved in an estimated 15,600 U.S. structure fires, 15 deaths, 400 injuries and $99 million in direct property damage, annually, between 2002 and 2004.

Coughlin Stoia, a 190-lawyer firm with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Boca Raton, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Atlanta, is active in major litigations pending in federal and state courts throughout the United States and has taken a leading role in many important actions on behalf of defrauded investors, consumers, and companies, as well as victims of human rights violations. The Coughlin Stoia Web site (http://www.csgrr.com) has more information about the firm.

Source: Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP