Case File Scrapbook

FireKobelco.jpg
Spontaneous fire of Kobelco Machinery (Excavator). Our Client, a National Equipment Leasing Organization, is self insured therefore had sustained the entire total loss of this Equipment for the approximate amount of $140,000.00. This unit was 6 months old at the time of this incident.

Corporate Owners processed a warranty claim with the Kobelco Factory for this loss. Kobelco representatives refused warranty repair/replacement as far up as Kobelco headquarters.

The Official Fire Investigator's report had incorrectly cited the ignition source as "hot engine parts". We then organized, dissected and researched this case starting with the Offical Reports and documentation provided.

During discovery and susequent inspection(s) it became evident that the Fire Investigator's "ignition source of Record" was, in fact, incorrect. We then provided all necessary discovery / evidence to support our analysis in contradiction to that of the "Official" record.

This process required the inspection and partial dissection of two other Exemplar machines of exact Manufacture and Model, one exemplar being 6 months older while the other exemplar was 6 months newer. We additionally performed an intense photographic folio, with index, of all three machines including comparative Macrophotography of suspected defective component areas in sequence of production which indicated that the Manufacturer had been aware of a prior problem in this area by virtue of attempted progressive revisions.

Our discovery concluded that the machinery ignited from a failure of a component found defective on all similar models inspected.

We negotiated with the Manufacturer on our Client's behalf and quickly resolved this case.

As the direct result of our analysis and intervention Kobelco quickly agreed to replace the subject (total loss) machinery with NEW equipment of the (then) current year production (one year newer than subject vehicle) of heavier lifting capacity, at no expense to our Client.

Correspondence from anyone having a similar experiece with Kobelco (or any other equipment manufacturer) is appreciated. Notes will be kept confidential. email: info@aafsa.com