Over the past few years, the risks of unsafe batteries in appliances, toys, and electronics have come to light. The news and social media are filled with stories of exploding cell phones, toy batteries catching houses on fire, and other devices burning users when their batteries fail. Most of these problems occur while charging, which is usually done overnight or when you leave the device unattended. In some cases, these accidents cause property damage only. In the case that you or a loved one was severely injured by an exploding battery accident, talk to an attorney right away.
The Queens exploding battery lawyers at Sullivan and Galleshaw represent injured consumers throughout New York City. Our attorneys can help you take the negligent manufacturers and product designers who created dangerous, exploding products to court and help you get compensation for your injuries. Call (718) 843-0300 today for a free consultation on your case.
Exploding Battery Injuries, Queens, NY
Over the past years, we have seen more and more items carry the risk of exploding batteries and chargers. News reports have discussed the dangers of exploding cell phone batteries, Hoverboard batteries, and other rechargeable devices. In many cases, these batteries explode while charging, and do not cause physical harm. However, many have gone to the hospital over burn injuries when these batteries rupture during use or set parts of their homes on fire.
You may be entitled to recover compensation for your burn injuries. If your injuries required medical treatment, any medical expenses may be compensated. If you had to miss work or were unable to return to work because of your injuries, you could seek damages for lost wages. Lastly, burns are some of the most painful injuries. You may be entitled to direct compensation for your pain and suffering. These damages may be limited or “capped” in New York State, but can still be quite high for very serious injuries. Talk to an attorney to discuss what damages may be available to you.
In order to prove that the manufacturer or the producer of the battery was responsible for your injuries, you must show that they did something wrong in making the product. In some cases, the problem is that the manufacturer did not put warnings on the item, highlighting its dangers. In others, the product is poorly designed, such as a phone casing that fails to cushion the battery from impact. Alternatively, the product may have proper warnings and design, but the factory put it together poorly. This manufacturing defect may be from substituting cheaper materials, missing materials, or other failures to assemble the product properly.
Choosing who to sue may also be complicated. Many electronics are produced from pieces (microchips, batteries, screens, etc.) made by multiple companies. The electronic manufacturer then sells the product to various stores, and they eventually sell to the user. If you were injured, you may have a case against only specific companies who contributed to the device, or you may be able to sue all of the manufacturers. Talk to an attorney to understand how your case may proceed.
How do Lithium Ion Batteries Explode?
Since the days of disposable AA, AAA, C, and D batteries, rechargeable lithium ion batteries have become more and more popular and efficient. These batteries, like classic disposable batteries, rely on chemical reactions to store and produce electrical charges. Classic batteries, if stored improperly, may leak chemicals and carry risk of poisoning or minor burns. Rechargeable batteries rely on similar chemical reactions.
When you add an electrical charge to a lithium ion battery, it changes the internal composition of the battery. As a battery charges, the lithium ions inside these batteries move across the battery. As the charge depletes, the ions move back across. This motion and the electrical current can create heat and give off excess energy as this happens.
If the battery’s charger is too strong or the battery is too weak, things can go wrong. Sometimes the battery gets too hot while charging, overloading the battery or charging cable. This can cause the battery or the cable itself to spark or melt. Most modern rechargeable batteries are pouches of chemicals with very thin walls. These batteries rely on stiff plastic and metal casings to keep the battery safe. If the battery is punctured or the housing breaks, the chemicals in the battery could leak, ignite, and burn. If this is near your face or hands, or catches part of your home on fire, this can cause a serious risk of injury or death.
Queens Product Defect Attorneys
The personal injury lawyers at Sullivan and Galleshaw may be able to help if you or a loved one was injured by a dangerous or defective battery explosion. Our attorneys have helped hundreds of injured New Yorkers get compensation for their injuries, and may be able to help you, too. Our attorneys fight manufacturers to get injured consumers the compensation they need to keep going after serious injuries. Call (718) 843-0300 today for a free consultation with our attorneys.