Lawsuit Claims Frigidaire Dehumidifier From Walmart Caught Fire, Caused More Than $2M in Damage

Complaint alleges a defective Frigidaire dehumidifier malfunctioned during normal use, causing a house fire that resulted in extensive damage, costly repairs and cleanup.

An insurance company has filed a product liability lawsuit claiming a Frigidaire dehumidifier sold through Walmart malfunctioned and caused a devastating fire at a New Jersey home.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by MIC General Insurance Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on April 7. It names Midea America Corporation, Midea America Corp., Midea USA Inc. and Walmart Inc. as defendants.

The insurer indicates that the dehumidifier malfunctioned during normal use and caused a house fire that resulted in more than $2.3 million in property damage.

A dehumidifier is a common household appliance used to reduce moisture levels in the air, helping maintain a dry and comfortable indoor environment. While typically safe when functioning as intended, defects in electrical components have been known to cause the units to overheat, emit smoke or ignite.

According to the lawsuit, the insurance provider brought the claim after paying substantial losses on behalf of homeowners Kevin Liau and Jessica Park, whose property was severely damaged in the fire. The insurer now seeks to recover those costs through subrogation, alleging the fire was caused by the defective dehumidifier.

Frigidaire Dehumidifier Fire Allegations

The complaint indicates the Frigidaire dehumidifier was designed, manufactured and sold by the defendants for ordinary consumer use, and had been operating without issue prior to the incident.

However, on or about September 15, 2024, the device allegedly malfunctioned while being used in a normal and foreseeable manner, sparking a fire that caused extensive damage to the home and required significant cleanup, repairs and other expenses.

According to the lawsuit, investigators determined the fire originated from a defect or malfunction in the dehumidifier. The complaint further alleges the product had not been altered or misused prior to the incident, and was being used as intended at the time of the fire.

As a result of the fire, the homeowners sustained substantial property damage and related losses. The insurer indicates it paid more than $2.3 million under the homeowners’ policy, and is now pursuing recovery from the companies involved in the design, manufacture and sale of the product.

“Defendants designed, manufactured, assembled, tested, inspected, marketed, distributed, and placed into the stream of commerce the aforesaid dehumidifier, including its component parts, in a dangerous defective condition, which catastrophically failed due to a defect and/or malfunction.”

— MIC General Insurance Corporation v. Midea America Corporation et al

The lawsuit raises allegations of products liability under various New Jersey statutes in addition to strict liability for breaches and violations of the state’s Consumer Fraud Act. It seeks damages in excess of $2,338,340.70.

Dehumidifier Safety Concerns

Dehumidifiers have been the subject of numerous safety concerns in recent years. A Pennsylvania couple brought a product liability lawsuit earlier this month, alleging a Kenmore-branded dehumidifier suddenly malfunctioned and sparked a fire, which caused extensive damage to their home.

In February, an insurance provider filed a claim alleging a recalled Frigidaire dehumidifier contained defects that caused it to overheat and ignite, resulting in a residential fire and substantial property damage.

Similar safety concerns were highlighted in a series of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls involving Gree dehumidifiers, which were linked to hundreds of fire incidents reported across the country.

The CPSC also issued a large-scale recall affecting dehumidifiers sold under brands such as Haier, Amana and Honeywell, warning that certain units may overheat, smoke or catch fire, leading to the removal of millions of products from the market.

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