Serious marine related product failure. What would you do?

[family affair]

Two weekends ago I had a product fail on me that could have resulted in a fire had I not acted quickly. On Monday the 2nd I contacted the manufacturer and emailed photos of damages. To my disappointment, I barely got a 2 sentence response.
At that point I sent a detailed email explaining what happened and the significance of the failure. I also made a list of demands I wanted addressed including payment for damages. I was stunned that a representative from the company admitted it was a product failure and manufacturing methods needed to be immediately investigated. As for the damages, I was provided a disclosure stating the company was not liable for damages from component failures.
As a former development engineer for several world class companies, I know a that a product failure that results in a fire is 100% unacceptable for any reason, especially when the fire risk could be eliminated with a $0.02 part! Apparently this company thinks otherwise.

Had the circumstances been different, this failure could have resulted in significantly greater damages or even death. Because I knew what to do, the event thankfully resulted in neither. All I want is for them to do the right thing and replace what I couldn't protect.

So what would you do?

I would appreciate any feedback from those with first hand experience or from those with legal backgrounds.

Thanks

 

[VeroWing]

Re: Serious marine related product failure. What would you

It would appear your choices are 1, lawyer up, 2, post warnings to others online in places like here, other boating forums, ripoff.com, etc., 3, just move on, and remember who this merchant and manufacturer are. Seems pretty dangerous that someone is producing a device that can burn your boat up though. I would see if there is a way to reach others that may have had the same results as you, for a possible class action procedure. Save all communications.

 

[family affair]

Re: Serious marine related product failure. What would you

The damages are mostly electrical, and difficult to identify everything that might be affected. Since the damages are not obvious and possibly not extensive, I doubt any lawyer will want anything to do with it, unless I pay up. At that point it likely wouldn't be worth the expense. Had someone gotten hurt or the damage more extensive, I would have people lined up at my door. Ironic that my actions prevented catastrophe, but the system only awards those that allow it to happen. Frustrating. :bang

 

[Fishtales]

Re: Serious marine related product failure. What would you

Details please....

 

[Lt.Mike]

Re: Serious marine related product failure. What would you

It's a rotten world we live in these days. The manufacturer may have to tread lightly as to how much liability they publicly accept for their product. You have a legitimate complaint and are right to want fair re-reimbursement but there are others out there that would go for every dime they could get. Its that kind of greedy person that has ruined it for the rest of us. We don't trust them and they can't trust us.
Though they would be cautious I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. Try to reach up the ladder in their company. If you get the right person and get a line of communication flowing you may still be able to work something out.
Mike.