Lithium-ion batteries are prevalent among device manufacturers since they provide enhanced performance and extended duration. Despite the various safety measures taken to ensure optimum usage, these electronic parts have displayed manufacturing and design defects that can endanger the lives of consumers.
The risk of li-ion batteries exploding is increased due to the highly-flammable chemical they contain, which is susceptible to catching fire when the battery overheats or becomes damaged.
The complications that exploding lithium-ion batteries can cause include:
- burns and traumatic lacerations
- hearing and vision loss
- permanent scarring and disfigurement
- respiratory issues
- fractures
- fires leading to other severe injuries and property damage
Common Causes for Li-Ion Battery Failures
An alarming deficiency of lithium-ion batteries is that they can spontaneously combust because the flammable parts within them release energy in an unforeseen way. Reasons for such an occurrence include:
- Production errors - poorly-insulated or ventilated batteries, edges that penetrate the divider of polypropylene, batteries that have too little space between the electrodes and the separator, or using second-rate scrap metals.
- Wear and tear - consumers using their devices in improper temperatures, charging on unventilated surfaces, dropping the devices and damaging the batteries, getting the devices wet.
- Design defects - pairing the battery with an inadequately-designed device.
- Faulty chargers - using an incompatible charger with the wrong voltage.
- The increasingly competitive industry - safety is sometimes compromised when every tech company struggles to take out the best device on the market.
Exploding lithium-ion batteries and subsequent injuries determine recalls and product liability lawsuits. Tremendous hazards can occur due to:
- improper or non-certified batteries
- manufacturing defects
- excessive vibration and heat, or batteries charged below freezing
- exposure to direct sun or mechanical stress (compressing, puncturing, or crushing)
Types of Devices with Li-Ion Batteries That Can Be Dangerous
Lithium-ion battery failures can have disastrous and sometimes fatal consequences, and some everyday items that are powered by such batteries include:
- cars
- consumer electronics
- electronic cigarettes
- laptops and tablets
- smartphones
- gaming systems
- speakers
- portable chargers
- remote controls
- wireless earbuds
- toys and baby monitors
Victims of exploding lithium-ion batteries should contact a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible to make sure their rights are fully protected.
Lithium-Ion Battery Recalls
- Laptops - Dell recalled in 2006 over four million laptops due to overheating lithium-ion batteries. HP recalled around 50,000 laptops in 2018 following reports of overheating or melting batteries causing injuries and damages.
- Hoverboards - in 2016, over half a million devices were recalled after several explosions and fires were caused by charging and usage issues.
- Samsung Galaxy Phones - some Samsung phones were prone to exploding due to insufficient space between the battery's electrodes and separator, which imposed a ban on airplanes.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - almost 2.5 million devices were recalled, and production was stopped after numerous fires were reported and injuries were inflicted.
- Amazon portable chargers - in 2018, several fires and injuries were reported.
- E-cigarettes - bursting batteries causing explosions have inflicted numerous injuries.
Other companies that realized the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and recalled faulty devices:
- Sony
- Apple
- Lenovo
- Panasonic
- Toshiba
- Hitachi
- Fujitsu
- Sharp
How Can Miami Attorney Sean M. Cleary Help?
Manufacturers often push the battery limits to maximize results and save time and costs. Claims involving lithium-battery explosion injuries can result in compensation for the resulting losses.
A proficient personal injury lawyer can conduct a meticulous investigation and assess what really happened while helping you construct a solid legal case.
You may have a substantial case if you suffered:
- significant property damage
- medical procedures for treating severe injuries
The experienced Miami product liability attorney at The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary has the resources and skills to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.