Conair Hair Dryer Recall Class Action Lawsuit

• Conair Infiniti Pro 1875-watt hair dryers – Models 259 and 279 with defectively designed heating coils and electrical cords that can cause the dryers to spark, catch fire, and shoot hot coils from the barrel; sold with “safety plugs” designed to recognize changes in electrical current.
• Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Styler Series 259Y – similar design defects causing sparking and fire hazards despite safety plug features.

Sold online and in stores at CVS, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, and other retailers nationwide from August 2009 through 2020 for between $24.99 and $39.99. The heater coils in the dryer’s barrel can create an electrical short if they come into contact with adjacent coils, causing small hot coils to project out of the dryer. The electrical cords are allegedly too short and stiff, and when bent can break wires and electrical insulation, potentially causing electrical shock and fire. Use of the recalled hair dryers can lead to injury quickly and unexpectedly, causing burns, property damage, and in some cases, flames erupting from the device during normal use.

Conair Corporation recalled approximately 570,000 Infiniti Pro Hair Dryers (Series 259 and 279) in October 2013 (CPSC Recall). The recall was prompted by 19 consumer reports of sparks, including one report involving fire and property damage and three reports of minor burn injuries that required medical attention.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled hair dryers. If you own a Conair Infiniti Pro model 259, 279, or 259Y hair dryer, discontinue use and contact Conair for information about remedies. The 2016 settlement provided replacement dryers or $5 cash payments to California and New York consumers, but that settlement is now closed.

Health Risks

• Burn injuries to wrists and forearms from sparking hair dryers.
• Minor to severe burns requiring medical attention.
• Property damage from fires and melted plugs.
• Hair being singed or burned off during use.
• Risk of electrical shock from broken cord wires.
• Burns occurring suddenly without warning.
• Damage to outlets, bathroom ceilings, sinks, and vanities.

Symptoms of a Problem

• Hair dryer emitting sparks during use.
• Device suddenly catching fire while drying hair.
• Hot coils shooting out from the barrel.
• Burning plastic smell coming from the device.
• Loud noises coming from within the dryer.
• Plug or cord melting or catching fire.
• Flames erupting from the hair dryer barrel or handle.
• Safety plug failing to prevent electrical surges.

What Consumers Should Do

1. Check if you own a Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryer model 259, 279, or 259Y purchased between August 2009 and 2020.
2. Look for the model number on the hair dryer handle or plug.
3. Check the plug for letters “SE”, “SR” or “N” on the metal prongs.
4. Stop using the hair dryer immediately.
5. Contact Conair for information about product recalls and remedies.
6. Keep your purchase receipt and documentation.
7. If you suffered burn injuries, seek immediate medical attention and preserve all medical records.
8. Document the incident with photos of the damaged hair dryer and any injuries.
9. Preserve the hair dryer as evidence if you plan to pursue legal action.

Potential for a Conair Hair Dryer Recall Class Action Lawsuit

Consumers who purchased or were injured by Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryers may join a class action lawsuit. Claims could include:

• The hair dryers were defectively designed with heating coils that short circuit and shoot flames.
• The electrical cords were too short and stiff, causing wires to break and creating fire hazards.
• The “safety plugs” were defective and failed to protect users from sparks and electrical surges.
• Conair failed to warn consumers about the serious fire and burn hazards.
• The company concealed known defects to maintain profits and competitive advantage.
• Consumers suffered burn injuries to wrists, forearms, and other body parts.
• Property damage occurred including fires, melted outlets, and damaged bathrooms.
• Retailers like CVS, Amazon, Walmart, and Target may share liability for selling defective products.

You could get compensation for medical expenses, emergency room treatment, burn treatment, hospitalization, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and product replacement costs. Multiple consumers have reported burn injuries requiring medical attention, with some incidents causing burns to wrists and forearms during normal use.

Class Action Lawsuits Filed Against Conair

2013-2016 California and New York Class Action

Plaintiff Cynthia Czuchaj filed a class action lawsuit on August 15, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (Czuchaj, et al. v. Conair Corporation, Case No. 13CV01901 BEN (RBB)) after her Infiniti Pro 1875-watt hair dryer allegedly caught fire while she was using it, just 10 months after purchase.

In November 2016, Conair agreed to a $5.4 million settlement to resolve claims from consumers in California and New York who purchased Conair Infiniti Pro 1875-watt model 259 or 279 hair dryers. The settlement covered California residents who purchased the hair dryers between August 15, 2009 and August 31, 2016, and New York residents who purchased them between August 15, 2010 and August 31, 2016.

Under the settlement terms, class members were eligible to receive either a replacement hair dryer or a $5 cash payment. Hair dryers manufactured by Neumax (identifiable by an ‘N’ on the plug) were eligible for replacement dryers, while those made by Silver Plan or Sun Luen (marked with “SE” or “SR”) qualified for the $5 payment. This settlement is now closed, with the claims deadline having passed on March 9, 2017.

2020 Illinois Class Action

On February 18, 2020, a new class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (Emily Hergert, et al. v. Conair Corp., Case Number 2020L001943). The plaintiffs, Emily Hergert of Sherrard, Illinois, and Julie McClanahan of Atkinson, Illinois, alleged that their Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Styler Series 259Y hair dryers sparked and caught fire, causing burns to their wrists and forearms.

The lawsuit accuses Conair of negligence, breach of warranty, consumer fraud, and deceptive business practices. The complaint asserts that Conair was aware of the defects and the serious safety hazards they posed but concealed this information from consumers “to make a profit, to maintain an edge over its competitors, and to place consumers under the false belief that its products were safe.”

The class action seeks to represent Illinois residents who purchased the Infiniti Pro Hair Styler Series 259Y between February 24, 2019 and the present, as well as those who were injured by the hair dryer between February 24, 2019 and the present. The plaintiffs are represented by Michelle N. Schneiderheinze of VanDerGinst Law PC.

2020 New Jersey Class Action

In March 2020, another class action lawsuit was filed against Conair Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Jennifer B. and Karen L., v. Conair Corporation, Case Number 3:20-cv-02543-FLW-TJB). The plaintiffs purchased Conair’s Infiniti Pro 1875-watt hair dryer (259/279 Series), which retailed for $24.99 to $39.99 at major retailers including Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, and CVS Pharmacies.

The lawsuit seeks to represent consumers who purchased the Infiniti Pro 259 or 279 series hair dryer from the beginning of any applicable limitations period until class certification, excluding those who were part of the previous California and New York settlement. The plaintiffs assert that despite having knowledge that the product is dangerous and malfunctions, Conair has refused to adequately compensate consumers.

Do I Have a Conair Hair Dryer Recall Class Action Lawsuit?

Our law firm handles product liability cases nationwide. We are taking new cases about Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryers.

Free Case Review: If you suffered burn injuries from a Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryer, including sparking, fire, or electrical shock-related burns, contact us today. You may get compensation through a Conair Hair Dryer Recall Class Action Lawsuit.

References

1. Czuchaj, et al. v. Conair Corporation, Case No. 13CV01901 BEN (RBB), U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
2. Emily Hergert, et al. v. Conair Corp., Case No. 2020L001943, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
3. Jennifer B. and Karen L., v. Conair Corporation, Case No. 3:20-cv-02543-FLW-TJB, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
4. Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer Recall, October 2013, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
5. Top Class Actions – Conair Hair Dryer Class Action Alleges Burns
6. The Schmidt Firm, PLLC – Conair Hair Dryer Lawsuit Information