[Case Summary]This case involves a property damage compensation dispute arising from an improper product installation that led to an explosion and fire. The kitchen cabinets of the two plaintiffs, Xu Xingqing and Liu Xianzhen, were installed by XXX Cabinet Factory. However, the installation personnel failed to secure the gas stove and hose connection properly, resulting in a natural gas leak that ignited upon contact with a spark, causing burn injuries to the two plaintiffs and damage to their homes and neighboring vehicles. The two plaintiffs have entrusted Beijing Hengluo Law Firm to handle the case.Li YonghuiThe lawyer filed a lawsuit. The lawyer applied for appraisal and evaluation to clarify the causality. The court ruled that the cabinet factory should bear full liability for compensation, and awarded 238,510 yuan for the renovation of the house and the restoration of the facade, 57,040 yuan for furniture and appliances, and 220,376 yuan for the damage to the neighbor's house and vehicle, totaling about 516,000 yuan. Applicable legal provisions: the relevant provisions of the Tort Liability Chapter of the Civil Code.

I. Review of the Case Facts

The two plaintiffs have been living in Room 201 in Fangshan District since 2013. Due to the oldness of the kitchen cabinets, on December 31, 2017, their second daughter, Xu * *, signed a Beijing City Furniture Sales Contract with XXX Cabinet Factory to purchase customized countertops, cabinets, range hoods, stoves, etc., with the agreement that the factory would provide free measurement, design, and installation services. On January 30, 2018, the cabinet factory dismantled the original facilities and completed the installation on January 31. On the evening of February 3 at about 8:40, when plaintiff Xu * * was heating the gas stove, a sudden explosion occurred, causing her to be burned all over. Both plaintiffs were injured in the fire, and all of the furniture and appliances in their home were destroyed, the walls were blackened, and the windows were damaged, requiring the entire house to be redecorated. The fire also caused damage to the houses of the neighbors upstairs and downstairs (the court ruled that the two plaintiffs should compensate 169,282 yuan), and damage to six cars downstairs (the court ruled that they should compensate 51,094 yuan). The value of the house decreased by 200,000 yuan, and the rental losses amounted to 31,000 yuan. Faced with questions such as "Who should compensate for the fire after the cabinets were installed?" and "What should be done if installation errors cause injuries?", the two plaintiffs entrusted Beijing Henglue Law Firm to handle the case.Li YonghuiThe lawyer filed a lawsuit.

II. The focus of the case

  • Focus 1: The causal relationship between the fire cause and improper installation.The fire investigation ruled out a gas pipeline leak, but did not rule out the possibility of a hose connection coming loose causing a leak and explosion. It is necessary to determine the responsibility of the cabinet factory for the installation.
  • Focus 2: The liability for compensation of cabinet factories and market organizers.The installers' actions were within the scope of their duties, so the cabinet factory should bear responsibility for it; the market organizing unit, which collects management fees, should also provide compensation accordingly.
  • Focus Three: The scope of determination of various losses.How to calculate and provide evidence for home renovations, furniture and appliances, neighbor and vehicle damage, depreciation, and rent, etc.

III. The professional intervention of Hengluo Law Firm

The plaintiff (the party involved) claimed in the original lawsuit that:The two plaintiffs claimed that the explosion and fire caused by the improper installation of the cabinet factory resulted in all losses, including the damage to the house decoration, furniture and appliances, neighbors, and vehicles, and demanded compensation for these losses.

The defendant argued (from the perspective of the cabinet factory and the market operator):The cabinet factory and Li *ping claimed that the plaintiff's claims lacked factual and legal basis and requested that the lawsuit be dismissed; the market organizer, XX Company, claimed that there was no causal relationship with the plaintiff's losses and refused to compensate.

Hengluo Lawyer's Agency Opinion:Li YonghuiAfter accepting the case, the lawyer quickly organized the case facts, collected key evidence, identified the focus of the case, calculated the various losses based on maximizing the client's rights and interests, and applied for appraisal and evaluation of the losses in terms of house depreciation, furniture and appliances, and renovation repair costs. The Fire Brigade's "Fire Accident Identification Letter" determined that it was possible that the hose interface fell off, leaked, and exploded; the cabinet factory assigned personnel to install the interface too loosely, causing it to fall off and leak, which led to a fire caused by a spark; the employees' installation errors caused property damage, and they should bear full responsibility for the losses; and the market organizer should bear responsibility for all losses by collecting management fees.

IV. Outcome of the case

The court adopted some of Henglue Lawyer's opinions and determined that XXX Cabinet Factory dispatched personnel to disassemble and install gas stoves. Due to improper installation, natural gas leaked and exploded, causing damage to the house involved in the case and nearby houses and vehicles. XXX Cabinet Factory should bear compensation liability. The judgment is as follows: Beijing XXX Cabinet Factory (operated by Li Xiping) shall, within ten days after the judgment takes effect, compensate Xu Xiqing and Liu Xian for the house decoration and facade repair costs of 238,510 yuan, furniture and appliance losses of 57,040 yuan, and neighboring house decoration and vehicle losses of 220,376 yuan; and dismiss the other claims of the two plaintiffs.

5. Hengluo Law Firm's Reminder

When customized furniture and kitchen appliances are installed by the seller, the installation personnel's actions are considered part of their job duties. If personal or property damage occurs due to installation errors, the seller shall bear full compensation liability according to law; the market management units that collect management fees may also be held liable. It is crucial to keep the sales contract, installation records, and fire safety certificates. This case is handled by Beijing Hengluo Law Firm.Li YonghuiThe attorney (practice license number: 11101199611955812, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

VI. Common Questions about Personal Injury Cases - FAQ

  1. Q:Who is responsible for compensating for the fire that occurred after the cabinet was installed?
    A:The installer is an employee of the merchant. If the damage is caused by the installer's mistake, the merchant shall bear all the compensation responsibilities. The installer can also sue the market organizing unit together with the merchant.
  2. Q:How can we determine responsibility when the cause of the fire is unclear?
    A:Based on the Fire Accident Identification Letter issued by the Fire Brigade and combined with the installation records and other evidence, we will determine the responsible party and the causal relationship.
  3. Q:Who will compensate for the losses of the neighbor's house and car that were burned down?
    A:The fire was caused by improper installation, and the responsible merchant should compensate for the losses. The external compensation that the victim owners have been ordered to bear can be recovered from the merchant.
  4. Q:Can I claim for the depreciation of the house and the loss of rent?
    A:The fire damage to the walls results in a decrease in value and makes the house uninhabitable, leading to rental losses. These are foreseeable losses and can be claimed after an assessment.
  5. Q:What evidence should be preserved when protecting one's rights regarding custom-made furniture?
    A:Keep the sales contract, payment receipts, installation records, fire safety certificates, loss lists, and appraisal reports to facilitate the process of making claims.