As consumers, we don't like to actively think about the potential hazards of any product we either purchase or use on a daily basis. Such a risk may be in the back of our minds and we may recognize that the threat could be there, but it is an unpleasant thought we would rather not concern ourselves with.

Those who own a Tassimo coffee brewer - a popular brand that has seen a surge of usage recently - will have to confront this reality after the machine was deemed hazardous by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last week. Due to a manufacturing flaw, the Tassimo brewers could spray very hot liquid on to unsuspecting coffee drinkers.

Nearly six million Tassimo units had to be recalled because of two potential flaws in the brewer. One is a T-disc which holds the beverage in its place. That disc can burst and toss tea, coffee or hot water on to the user. About 1.7 million Tassimo brewers were recalled because of the T-disc flaw, and as of last week there were 140 incidents where a Tassimo user was burned because of a faulty T-disc.

The other manufacturing flaw pertained to the pre-packaged ground beans that are used with a Tassimo brewer. The ground material sits in its own filter to make the brew the user wants, but the packages can clog resulting in a similar spray effect to the T-disc issue. The packaging flaw brought on a recall of four million Tassimo units and had victimized 21 people with burns, four of which suffered a more serious second-degree burn.

It is a high-profile example of product liability, but the Tassimo flaws highlight how a product can cause serious harm to its user, no matter how much we would rather not think about such a hazard. When you have been hurt by an apparently faulty product, consult a personal injury attorney to review your claim and to see how you can proceed legally.

Source: Reuters, "Tassimo brewers and espresso pads recalled after burn injuries," Barbara Goldberg and Paul Thomasch, Feb. 9, 2012