Posted on 08/05/2005 11:12:08 AM PDT by JZelle
MARION, Va. (AP) -- The mother of a 5-year-old girl who died in a coin-operated washer sued the machine's manufacturer, saying it started up with the child inside even though no money had been put into the machine.
Rebecca Hope Wagoner was asphyxiated June 17 after the 30-pound girl became trapped inside the triple-load washer. The washer, the suit contends, "started immediately without the insertion of any coins."
The washer requires 11 quarters to operate and will not accept coins until the heavy door is shut, officials have said. The door cannot be unlatched while the machine is operating.
Rebecca Billings Wagoner, Hope's mother, had to use a rock to smash the door and pull her daughter out.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...
I've come to the conclusion that the liberals make far more money on the lack of common sense in some people, than they would if they were able to claim "Lack of Common Sense" as a disease.
Since I spoke without knowing all the facts, I apologise.
A 14 year old is generally competent to watch a younger sibling. The world is always safer in hindsight.
So...who closed the door, anyway? You trying to say you wouldn't see a 5 year old in the machine? You cannot pull those things shut from the inside. This story stinks...smells like a rat.
I agree, but I also recognize that like it or not, companies have a long tried and true history of only doing things when economics or laws FORCE them to... the age of the Christian CEO is long over (if it ever existed).
Lawsuits cost money, whether they are right or wrong.... without the threat of having to deal with lawsuits complacency and a base depreciation on human life occurs by companies... what is a preventable death if there is no cost to us?
I don't believe the company will be found guilty in this case, although if the washer did indeed malfunction and start without money in it, that's a flaw that certainly was a contributing factor.
Hopefully, this little girls death will, whether we agree on the lawsuit or not, bring about changes to these machines so that no ones child winds up dying preventably in them in the future.
I know as a general rule of thumb, engineers should assume that any device that closes and latches that the possibility that a person could become trapped inside.
The article states recall of faulty electronic coin counters. I'm going to assume that this recall was prompted by laundromat owners complaints because they were losing money on the faulty machines (washing for free if you slam the door).
If there had been previous lawsuits, one would think the article would mention them, but with the lamestream media, one cannot be sure.
My point is, if they have a recall history on the coin mechanism failing and causing the washer to start, then they have a liability problem, irrespective of the negligence of the mother or the bad actions of the half brother.
It really turns on whether coins were inserted or not. The fact that the half brother is being charged based on review of the security cameras and fingerprinting of the coins may work for the manufacturer and against the family.
I expect the lawyers for the manufacturer will delay the civil litigation until the criminal proceedings are complete. It will all come out in the wash.
> The manufacturer is responsible by not having
> an emergency shut off switch on the machine.
In a prior thread, it was stated that code requires the installation to have a clearly visible and accessible disconnect within 50 ft of the machnine. If this is the case, the installer and/or store would be at fault, and not the manufacturer.
But even if you pulled the plug, you would still have a machine full of water and no way to open it. So, I guess I don't really understand culpability of the store other than a code violation.
Ok, then the store:) I agree, that is the way it was when I was working in the lumber industry, we had to have a shut off where we could reach it in a hurry, and not just a shut off, an emergency disconnect. Thanks for reminding me.
"Teen charged in death of his 5-year-old sister in washer"
I saw the CSI version of this one. I forget how the washer started.
I'm with you. Someone closed that door. And I agree, too -- Down with Islam.
I would have guessed that a previous customer had put money in the washer but something jammed and it wouldn't work.
However. Every front load laundromat washer I've seen requires someone to turn the handle to begin the action. You don't just shut the door.
Not to minimize a terrible tragedy, but what on earth was the mother doing allowing the child to play inside a washing machine?
> But even if you pulled the plug, you would
> still have a machine full of water and no
> way to open it.
I think you could open it. It would be a big mess, but without electricity, as I understand it, the interlock won't hold the door shut.
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