All HP has to do is prove that they did not set the computer up in an ideal enviroment for proper use as intended. (example improper power source to pc, ventalation blockage, close to flamable materials) Sorry about the house & PC but you should have had a ground wire to cut the power when the wires start to fry. Curious why the Power supply didnt short out befor flames appreard. Most Power supplys i have seen fry will shut off or blow a breaker befor it gets completely crazy.

I've got the same laptop that I'm using!!!

Better go buy a fire extinguisher!

How does a computer explode? I would also think it would take some time for the whole computer to catch fire start burning down the home.

The computer caught on fire. It did not explode. Also the computer didn't injure the daughter, jumping out of the window did. The father should have had a fire escape ladder on the window. Her injuries are partially his negligence.

chances are he restricted the air flow somehow or so much lint clogged his pc that it set itself alight.

hell, he probably just had a bad power socket or an old power cable from the 80s.

or his daughter was smoking and pointed at the computer after her ciggy set the carpet on fire..

What really strikes me about this article is that it happened when he was at home, and yet he could not stop the fire in time. Either nobody was in the room when the computer caught fire or it all happened really fast. I hope details about the fire's cause will be revealed.

"The father should have had a fire escape ladder on the window. Her injuries are partially his negligence." No matter where you go, there's an idiot , I don't know a SOUL on this EARTH who has a "fire escape ladder" on their WINDOW, get real, fella.

why is he suing HP is Compaq a subsidary of HP?

Quote: "I don't know a SOUL on this EARTH who has a "fire escape ladder" on their WINDOW, get real, fella."
- Revrant

Not a very informed or mature comment Revrant. I guess you've never been to New York City. Fire escape ladders all over the place.

Fire Departments promote the use of fire escape ladders & plans [escape route, etc.] for residences, especially those with more than one floor.

That's why they have stairs in all commercial buildings, in case there is a fire or elevators don't work. They are just on the inside.

MOST American family's aren't responsible enough to have fire escape plans and ladders in their house.

The father IS partly negligent. Who would he blame if he had caught the house on fire from cooking dinner?

If my child, if I had one, went to YOUR house, and YOUR house caught fire, and my child was unable to exit the house due to lack of escape route [death or injury], I would be able to sue you civilly. A prosecutor could bring criminal charges against you for negligence. If you own the property, you are responsible for providing proper escape routes in case of fire/emergency; even if you bought a used house or property.

This guy needs not to blame the company but his own stupidity. a computer cant cause a fire unless it's either

a. not in a proper location or well maintained for use (i.e. near flammables, clogged with lint, electrical outlets improperly installed, etc.)

or B. intentionally sabotaged by individuals in the home.

fact is, people need to stop blaming "evil corporations" and "government conspiracy" on their problems and just deal with it. house burned down? ok, build a new one with the insurance money. didn't have insurance? sorry about your luck.

and if the guy wins the court case, expect laptop prices and homeowners insurance to skyrocket (deductible for electronics entertainment accidents? your soul and another 40 hours a week)

*disclaimer: i'm not a jerk or insensitive, i just believe people should think before they act or speak, and then suck it up because they'll lose in the long run anyways. And had they thought about it, they probably wouldn't have their problems in the first place.

Everyone should have a fure escape plan. Those ladders are not expensive and everyone with a 2 story or more house should have them. I did in my house. The last thing I wanted was for my daughter to be caught upstairs durring a fire. If you care about your kids you need one. If you don't(like Revrant) you don't deserve them {kids}!
For anyone who needs one, here are some links.
http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3180251

http://www.fireescapesystems.com/resqladder.asp

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?marketID=90401&locStoreNum=8125&N=10000003 502167+90401&catalogId=10053&dim_search=1

" why is he suing HP is Compaq a subsidary of HP?"

HP bought Compaq for quite some time now.
Go outside and smell the fresh air for Christ sake!

Yes paul HP and Compaq are one in the same company. HP bought out Compaq a few years back.

Honestly TrKShot and skythra, ITS A FREKEN LAPTOP!!!! Are you guys mentally challenged what does a laptop have? A freken battery! What can a battery do, it can explode. ok not a large explosion but an explosion nonetheless which can cause a fire. Whether or not the guy sat there and watched the fire so he could sue the company afterwards is another matter. But laptop batteries no matter which company are created in china. Sony withdrew hundreds of thousands of batteries that were faulty and were able to cause explosions. Its very possible that the guy had a defected battery. I am not defending the dude who let his house catch fire. But seriously how can you not think that its not possible! Clogged up fans and stuff both you guys make me tired.

Enjoy you day

The father being home and having no idea or finding means to deal with the fire makes me think he's trying his best to avoid any fault in the matter.
Of course, in such frantic situations (avoidable or not), people handle these situations differently under stress. Its easy to say he should have done this or that to be ready for any possible problems that could arise. We're all not perfect. Should he have had a means for his daughter to escape, yes, but the likelihood of a fire breaking out is not exactly on the average person's mind.
The determining factor will be what the fire investigation findings are. If the computer's power supply was faulty, the computer was not deemed lacking care (not full of dust etc) and the powercord situation was in order, then he might get a buck or two. Those bucks would be for the property damage, not for his daughter. I think he'll have a hard time getting money for that part. Hopefully he won't try to get rich over it. People don't realize they make the world uglier when they try to. Don't spill your coffee its hot, if you know what I mean. Don't put your cruise control on while driving your RV and saunter back to its kitchen for a snack, you'll crash....

Nothing in the article indicates that the computer is a laptop. Even so, Compaq has never had problems with exploding batteries. I'm willing to bet the fire was caused by bad wiring in the home or a bad electrical socket. For the record, some of us do have escape ladders in our homes. I have a nice little chain one under my bed in case of emergencies. Either way, this would fall under tort law. The argument that the fall injured the girl is irrelevant. She would not have jumped if not for the fire.

Quote: "I don't know a SOUL on this EARTH who has a "fire escape ladder" on their WINDOW, get real, fella."
- Revrant

Or just use one of those collapsoble ones, it fits under my bed nicely :)