Washing-machine safety scrutinized
Amber Newcomb's arm became tangled in the machine's agitator when, as a 9-year-old, she tried to help her mother by loading towels into a washing machine manufactured by White Consolidated Industries, owned by Sweden's Electrolux.
Her attorneys say the machine remained in operation as Newcomb opened the lid because White had eliminated a safety switch during a design change to cut costs. When she tried to push down the towels to make sure they got wet, her arm became tangled in the machine's agitator.
The girl's arm was broken and twisted several times as she fought to yank it out. Her parents rushed to her aid after they heard her little sister screaming. Surgeons tried to reattach the arm but eventually amputated it below the elbow.
"It's that long moment of horror and helplessness that no parents can ever get out of their minds," said Rebecca Newcomb, Amber's mother.
Yesterday, the Newcombs announced they had settled a lawsuit with White, based in Cleveland. Details were not disclosed, but the company on Monday will begin installing safety switches on all new washing machines it manufactures, according to William Gaylord, one of the family's lawyers.
The brand labels are Frigidaire, Westinghouse, Gibson, Kelvinator and Tappan. The machine that injured Newcomb had the Westinghouse label.
Tony Evans, an Electrolux spokesman, said it was the only serious injury reported that involved any of those machines.
He said the design change that eliminated the safety switch was actually made to add a different switch to lock the lid during the spin cycle of the washers, when the washer tub is moving rapidly and considered a danger.
"We very much regret the accident that injured that young lady," Evans said. "But our clothes washers, today and in the past, meet and exceed all applicable safety standards."
But Consumer Product Safety Commission officials in Washington, D.C., said the machines remain under scrutiny.
The agency is "aware of the tragic injury to Amber Newcomb" and "is continuing to look into the matter to ensure that the public's safety is not at risk from using these washing machines," said spokesman Scott Wolfson.
Newcomb, who is now 13, and her mother say a recall is needed.
Under the settlement, White is not required to notify consumers of the danger posed by the lack of a safety switch on older models. The company is offering to retrofit washers with safety switches, but consumers must pay the cost.
"I thought we were protected because it had a big brand name on it," Rebecca Newcomb said. "But just because a product has a big name on it doesn't mean it's safe."
A federal judge acted as mediator in the settlement reached in Multnomah County, Ore., Circuit Court, but monetary damages were not disclosed, attorneys said.