Traditional electrical outlets use a set screw to securely hold the copper wire that supplies the current to the outlet. The action alleges that the outlets manufactured by Leviton use a spring-loaded clamping device to hold the wires in place--if the spring becomes fatigued and fails, the wire may lose a secure connection to the outlet and become a fire hazard. This sort of outlet is occasionally referred to as a "back plug-in outlet."

The outlets targeted by the action are sold in hardware stores across the nation. The only way to ascertain if your home has them is to remove an outlet from the wall and look at its back. If the wires that bring current to the outlet are screwed down securely, your home does not have the plug-in type. If you are uncomfortable removing an outlet from the wall, you should contact an electrician to do it for you.

Certain cities, including Chicago, have banned the use of back plug-in outlets in certain applications. Underwriters Laboratories has issued a corrective bulletin about them, stating that enough complaints have been lodged to change the code standard.