A single product defect can trigger a chain of losses, from a household fire to a large-scale liability claim. Neale Consulting investigates product and appliance fires to establish whether the failure came from design, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, or misuse, and gives clients answers they can rely on.
Neale is a mechanical engineering consultancy with more than five decades of history in failure investigation and tribology, so we can examine the failed product itself as well as the fire damage around it.
Our evidence-based assessments give a solid foundation for subrogation, warranty disputes, and litigation.
What We Determine
- Causation: whether the product caused the fire, or whether it was a victim of it.
- How the Product Failed: a design fault, a manufacturing defect, a component failure, or wear.
- Whether Installation, Maintenance, or Use Contributed: improper installation, lack of maintenance, or misuse.
- What the Evidence Supports: findings that stand up when other parties test them.
Fire Subrogation Support
Subrogation is how an insurer that has paid a fire claim recovers its outlay from the party responsible. A successful fire subrogation case depends on early, well-preserved evidence and a clear explanation of what failed and why.
We help subrogation teams and their legal associates to:
- Identify whether there is a viable claim against a manufacturer, installer, or contractor.
- Secure and preserve the product and the scene before evidence is lost.
- Carry out joint examinations with the other parties’ experts.
- Present the engineering evidence clearly in negotiation or at trial.
Products and Appliances We Investigate
- Lithium-ion Devices: phones, laptops, and e-bikes.
- Laundry Appliances: dryers and washers.
- Kitchen Appliances: cooking equipment, small kitchen appliances, and dishwashers.
- Heating & Cooling: heating appliances, refrigeration equipment, and HVAC systems.
- Generators & Industrial Machinery.
- Consumer Products: outdoor grills, entertainment appliances, etc.
Electrical & Product Failure Analysis
Where an electrical fault is suspected, our engineers can carry out electrical failure analysis on the components involved, to establish whether a fault in the product started the fire – or whether the ignition source lay elsewhere.
Who We Help
Insurers, subrogation teams, legal firms, and manufacturers rely on our product fire investigation work for claims, product liability matters and warranty disputes. Where a case needs a product liability expert witness, our experts can act as such.
Need a Product or Appliance Fire Investigated?
Then speak to the Neale Consulting team today. Contact us as early as you can and provide your details here.
How can we help you?
