Kohler generators kill at least 8 people

At least eight people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty exhaust system on the Kohler 7.5 kW generator. Investigations into the generator found that the exhaust tube, which is made from black iron, had deteriorated from the inside out showing no signs of wear from the outside. However the deterioration was severe enough to allow the deadly gas to seep into the cabin.

Four people were killed in 1999 on a pleasure craft cruising the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Two other reported deaths occurred in Seattle in 1986, and two more in Texas in 1995.

In the Lake of the Ozarks case, tried in St. Louis, the company was ordered to pay over $25.5 million in compensation and punitive damages to the families of the victims. The reason for the harsh penalties was the fact that the plaintiffs proved Kohler knew about the faulty part, but chose not to warn customers about the possible dangers. In fact, the company continued to sell the part.

During the trial, a high-ranking employee stated that the original design of the generator called for brass tubing in this section of the exhaust. However, the company switched to the black iron substitute, saving $8 per unit. The company switched to a stainless steel tube in 1988 – two years after the first reported deaths – but continued to sell the black iron tube as a replacement part for ten years afterwards. At no point were customers advised to upgrade to the new stainless steel tubes, or were made aware of the dangers.

Further, the employee stated that it was known within the company that the black iron tube had a failure rate of 16-23% and were particularly susceptible to deterioration in saltwater conditions. The original brass tube or the upgraded stainless steel tubes would have lasted the life of the generator.

The reason that Kohler didn’t issue a warning was simple: cost. There was no way to tell how deteriorated the tube was unless the whole generator was taken apart. Issuing a warning would have led to a mass recall, and expense that Kohler wanted to avoid. In the end, the company eventually did issue a recall during the trial.

Generators, electronics, and other marine equipment are vital for the safety of all pleasure craft. The companies that manufacture these products have the full responsibility to ensure that they are safe for use in the relatively extreme conditions that watercraft experience.

If you have been injured due to a faulty system on your pleasure craft, houseboat, powerboat, sailboat, or any other type of vessel, contact a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury attorney. We have decades of experience with Texas law protecting the rights of our clients and making sure they receive the compensation they deserve due to faulty watercraft products. And Jim S. Adler & Associates can help you too. Contact us directly by phone, or click on the link on this page for a free case review.

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