Exploding lithium-ion batteries in cars, laptops, phones, e-cigarettes, hoverboards, and other electronic devices have caused several deaths and hundreds of severe burn injuries.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting lithium-ion battery explosion induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or burned, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: IKEA Power Banks Recalled for Fire Hazard
In August 2024, IKEA recalled more than 1,600 VARMFRONT Power Banks after reports of the lithium-ion battery overheating, which poses a fire hazard.
190,000 Portable Chargers Recalled After Fire on Plane
In July 2023, about 190,000 VRURC Portable Chargers were recalled because they can overheat, ignite, and catch on fire. One fire was reported mid-flight on a commercial airline, which resulted in 4 flight attendants needing medical attention for smoke inhalation. The chargers were sold on Amazon.com from July 2021 through May 2023.
House Fire in Maryland Linked to Anker 535 Power Bank
In February 2023, a house fire in Maryland that destroyed a 2nd-story bedroom at 4 a.m. was linked to a recalled Anker 535 Power Bank. The power banks were recalled because they can overheat and explode, posing serious fire and burn injury hazards.
What is a Lithium-Ion Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in electronic devices. These batteries recharge quickly and pack a lot of power into a small size, making them ideal for laptops and phones, as well as electric cars and some jumbo jets.
What is the Problem?
As consumers have demanded smaller and more powerful electronic devices, engineers have had to squeeze lithium-ion batteries into increasingly smaller spaces. Over time, this has created problems.
Why Do Lithium-Ion Batteries Explode?
- Short-circuit
- Overcharging or using the wrong charger
- Faulty wiring
- Manufacturing defect
- Damage
- Hot temperatures
- Contact with metal, keys, coins, etc.
What is the Problem?
The big disadvantage of lithium-ion batteries is the risk of explosions. Inside every battery is a highly-flammable liquid electrolyte chemical that can catch on fire if the battery is damaged or overheats.
Short-Circuits Cause Many Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
One of the most common ways that lithium-ion batteries catch on fire is when it short-circuits. This causes a “thermal runaway,” in which the chemicals heat up — potentially hitting temperatures over 1,000° F — and boil, releasing gases that break open the battery. When the chemicals leak out and hit an electrical spark, they suddenly explode.
Examples of Products Recalled After Battery Fires & Explosions
- HALO 1000 Portable Power Banks (1 death reported)
- IKEA Power Banks
- Baseus Wireless Magnetic Power Banks
- Laptop power banks
- Verizon hotspot devices
- E-bikes and scooters
- Phone cases
- Phone batteries
- iPhones
- Hoverboards
- Headphones
- Laptops
- E-cigarettes and vapes
- Power banks
- Electric vehicles (Teslas, Chevrolet Bolt, etc.)
- Solar panels
- Massage guns
- Electrostatic sprayers
- And more
iPhone Battery Fire Lawsuits
Apple is facing a growing number of lawsuits involving people who were severely burned when the lithium-ion battery in their iPhone exploded. These lawsuits accuse Apple of selling defective batteries and failing to warn consumers about the risk. Lawsuits have been filed in Texas, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, with several lawsuits ending in confidential settlements within a few months of being filed.
Battery Phone Cases Recalled for Burn Hazard
In October 2020, Endliss Technology Inc. recalled around 367,000 Trianium battery phone cases because the lithium-ion battery in the case can overheat and cause burn injuries. At least 10 people suffered burn injuries. There were 96 reports of the cases overheating due to “thermal runaway.” The cases were sold exclusively on Amazon.com from September 2014 to July 2020.
Phone Battery Explosions
The risk of phone battery explosions drew worldwide attention in 2016, when Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after dozens of people suffered burn injuries. Since then, a growing number of lawsuits have been filed by people who were burned when the lithium-ion battery in their phone exploded.
Hoverboard Battery Explosions
Over 500,000 hoverboards were recalled in 2017 after dozens of reports of lithium-ion batteries catching on fire, burning down houses, and exploding while charging or catching on fire underfoot. The manufacturers have been hit with several individual lawsuits and class actions from people who suffered injuries or property damage.
Headphone Battery Explosions
In 2017, an Australian woman on a flight from Beijing to Melbourne was severely burned when her headphones exploded. The woman fell asleep while wearing the headphones plugged into a power source. Two hours later, she awoke when her headphones suddenly caught on fire, burning her face, hands, and hair.
Laptop Battery Explosions
In June 2019, Apple recalled certain 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops from 2015 because the battery can overheat and catch on fire. In recent years, millions of lithium-ion laptop batteries have been recalled by Apple, HP, Toshiba, and Dell due to a risk of fires.
E-Cigarette & Vape Battery Explosions
Exploding lithium-ion batteries in vapes and e-cigarettes have caused several deaths and burned hundreds of people. Many incidents involve blindness and permanent scarring because the person was holding the battery close to their face when it exploded.
Power Bank Explosions
In February 2023, Anker voluntarily recalled the Anker 535 Power Bank (Power Core 20K), Model: A1366 because it can overheat, posing a risk of fires and burn injuries. Fire officials warned that the power bank was the “most probable cause” of a house fire near Leitersburg, Maryland.
In January 2020, PCNA recalled about 5,000 free promotional giveaway power banks after 1 fire was reported. The problem is that the lithium-ion battery can overheat and ignite, posting fire and burn hazards. The recalled power banks were given away at meetings or events nationwide from July 2019 through September 2019.
In October 2019, Michaels craft stores recalled around 14,000 Bead Landing™ keychain power banks after 2 reports of fires that occurred when the lithium-ion battery was charging. No injuries were reported. The were sold at Michaels stores from March 2018 through August 2019 for about $20.
Electric Vehicle Battery Explosions
A growing number of electric vehicle battery fire lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured when their electric vehicle battery exploded or caught on fire. Most of the lawsuits involve fires that occurred after car accidents involving Tesla vehicles, but in other lawsuits (such as the recalled Chevrolet Bolt EVs), the defective batteries caught on fire when the vehicles were parked, unattended, and not plugged in.
Solar Panel Battery Explosions & Fires
In December 2020, a recall was issued for about 1,800 home solar panel batteries after 5 reports of fires that caused property damage. The recall involves the LG Chem “RESU 10H” Lithium-Ion Residential Energy Storage System. The batteries can overheat, posing a risk of fire and harmful smoke. The batteries were provided by various solar energy companies nationwide, including, but not limited to Sunrun, AEE Solar, Baywa, CED, Krannich, Independent Electric Supply, and Inter Island Solar Supply, from January 2017 through March 2019 for about $8,000.
Massagers Recalled After Battery Fires Cause $15,000 in Damage
In January 2020, all Massimo® percussion massage guns were recalled after reports of 3 fires that caused at least $15,000 in property damage. The problem is that the lithium-ion batteries can overheat and catch on fire when the massagers are charging. They were sold online at Costco.com from April 2020 through May 2020 for about $60.
Electrostatic Sprayers Recalled for Battery Explosion Risk
In January 2021, a recall was issued for about 405,000 Victory Innovations® and Protexus® electrostatic sprayers after 37 reports of the lithium-ion battery overheating, melting, catching on fire, or exploding. The handheld or backpack spray guns are used to quickly disinfect a large amount of high-touch surfaces. Click here to read more.
Amazon Battery Fire Lawsuit Filed by Woman With 3rd-Degree Burns
In August 2020, an appeals court in California ruled that Amazon could be held responsible for a woman’s 3rd-degree burns when a laptop battery exploded.
The woman bought a $12.30 replacement laptop battery on Amazon, which exploded a few months later. She was hospitalized for 2 weeks due to severe burns.
She filed a lawsuit against Amazon in January 2017. Three months later, Amazon sent her an email warning that the battery “may present a fire hazard or not perform as expected.”
Source: Amazon Suffers Major Court Loss to San Diego Woman in Exploding Battery Lawsuit
18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries Pose Deadly Risks, CPSC Warns
In January 2021, safety officials warned against buying or using loose 18650 lithium-ion batteries because they can short-circuit when they touch metal objects (such as keys or coins in your pocket) and suddenly ignite, explode, start a fire, and cause severe injuries or death.
19650 lithium-ion batteries are supposed to be sold as part of battery packs, and not individually. Unfortunately, some manufacturers are selling dangerous 18650 batteries individually as power sources for small consumer electronics, including some vape devices, personal fans, headlamps, and toys.
Do I have a Lithium-Ion Battery Explosion Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting lithium-ion battery explosion induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or burned, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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