KC Defective Battery

Kansas City Defective Battery Lawyers

Skilled product liability lawyers when faulty batteries cause harm in MO or KS

Many of the products consumers use have lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are easy to recharge, and they’re energy efficient. Lithium-ion batteries are used in many different types of computer and communication devices. They’re also used for medical and other purposes. The benefits come with a severe downside. These batteries can overheat. They can ignite. They can cause serious burn injuries and even deaths.

At Kansas City Injury Accident Attorneys, our seasoned product liability lawyers hold manufacturers liable when they make defective products that cause accidents, when they breach warranties, and when they’re negligent. We work with professionals who understand battery science and technology. We work with your doctors to understand the severity and full scope of your injuries. Our Kansas City defective battery lawyers demand compensation for your injuries and for the death of anyone killed by a defective battery.

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What are lithium-ion batteries?

When we talk about defective batteries, we are primarily talking about lithium-ion (Li-on) batteries. They are popular for several reasons, according to Power Technology:

  • They are rechargeable.
  • Lithium batteries can store a lot of energy for a long time even though the batteries are small. They “can have up to 150 watt-hours (WH) of energy per kilogram (kg), compared to nickel-metal hydride batteries at 60-70WH/kg and lead acid ones at 25WH/kg.”
  • They “have a lower discharge rate than others, losing around 5% of their charge in a month compared to a nickel-cadmium (NiMH) batteries which lose 20% in a month.”

Lithium batteries are used in many different consumer products such as smartphones, laptops, computer tables, children’s toys, cameras, remote car locks, MP3 players, electronic cigarettes, and vapes. They are also used in medical products such as pacemakers, electronic wheelchairs, stair lifts, and hearing aids. Additional uses include solar panels, forklifts, and electronic vehicles. They even affect global air traffic.

How often do defective batteries cause accidents and injuries?

More often than you think, and in ways you might not expect. Between 2006 and July 1, 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration reported 375 aviation-related incidents involving lithium batteries carried as cargo or baggage.

A few of the more notable accidents/events involving defective lithium batteries include:

  • The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone series being withdrawn, costing Samsung a fortune, after repeated fires.
  • A warehouse in Illinois housed about 200,000 pounds of batteries – mostly lithium-ion. About one-fourth of the batteries were defective, damaged, or recalled. The combination of the defective batteries, a rainy day, a leaky roof, an ill-suited warehouse, and the lack of understanding by firefighters in extinguishing Li-on battery fires – the use of water to put out the fires caused a “thermal runaway.” The batteries continued to flare for 28 days.
  • Two meltdowns at Vistra Energy Storage Facility, California (in 2021 and 2022) caused extensive property damage.
  • An explosion caused injuries to several firefighters when a large battery used to power an Arizona neighborhood failed.

Several house fires occurred when hoverboards with lithium batteries overheated or caused fires. Numerous brands of hoverboards were recalled when the hoverboards first became popular, in 2016 and 2017.

There are also numerous reports of victims of small lithium batteries requiring emergency room care. They can also lead to other types of accidents. For example, a person who uses a vape pen in the car may cause an accident if the pen explodes during use. A worker whose phone catches fire while he or she is on the roof can easily fall, or cause others to fall, in an attempt to get away from the phone.

Why are Li-on batteries so dangerous?

All batteries store energy. The energy is later released through chemical reactions. Electricity enters and exits the battery through electrodes. The problem with Li-on batteries, though, is that they’re “extremely volatile,” as Iron Core Technology explains:

When [Li-on batteries] overheat, they can spontaneously ignite and then explode. The causes of this condition include electrical shorting, rapid discharge, and overcharging. In addition, there may be a manufacturing defect or improper design, which can also contribute to overheating. In either case, the internal temperature and pressure will rise to potentially dangerous levels.

Lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable. The fire can’t be extinguished because the cells propagate independently. To put out a fire, a user should remove the lithium battery and let it cool. A fire can be controlled for a certain amount of time or left outside. But a prolonged exposure to heat from a lithium battery can cause the pack to burst into flames.

Lithium-ion batteries should be kept away from high-temperature locations. They need to be stored properly. They need to be disposed of properly. The manufacturer should provide clear instructions on use, storage, and disposal.

What kinds of injuries do lithium-ion batteries cause?

The most common type of injuries that defective batteries cause are burn injuries and electrocution, but you can suffer other severe injuries such as:

  • Smoke, ash, and toxin inhalation from fires or explosions
  • Loss of hearing
  • Loss of vision
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Damage to the jawbone and teeth
  • Compound, complex fractures to the ribs, sternum, or other body parts

In extreme cases, people can die in a fire or explosion caused by a defective battery.

What are the requirements for filing a defective battery claim in Kansas City?

If you were injured because of a defective or malfunctioning battery, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help you with a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Our lawyers work to show that the manufacturers should be held strictly liable (no need to prove fault) if:

  • The battery was defective when the accident (fire, explosion, or another event) occurred.
  • The defect caused the accident.
  • The accident caused your injuries or the death of a loved one.

We also file claims if the manufacturer’s express or implied warranties as to the benefits and use of the battery were breached – or if the manufacturer was negligent. Manufacturers can be negligent if they failed to follow any federal regulations, failed to follow battery industry standards, failed to test the batteries, or were careless in any way. As a result of the numerous reports of defective batteries, the United Nations mandates that manufacturers and distributors must provide a summary of the tests the battery passed or failed.

If your injuries were the result of a fire on someone else’s property, you could have a premises liability claim. Our defective product attorneys in Kansas City can help you choose the right personal injury lawsuit to file based on the exact circumstances of the incident and the injuries you sustain.

How much is my Kansas City defective battery claim worth?

Our Kansas City defective battery lawyers are skilled at filing claims for all types of personal injuries. We have numerous settlements and verdicts for high amounts including six and seven-figure results.

We demand compensation for the following current and future damages caused by the defective batteries:

  • All your medical expenses
  • All lost income
  • Your physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Any scarring and disfigurement
  • All other economic and personal damages

Do you have a product liability attorney near me?

We have offices close by. Our Kansas City location is near the River Market area, at 510 Walnut, Suite 100. We also maintain offices in Lee’s Summit, Parkville, and St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as in Olathe, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas, by appointment.

Our Kansas City defective battery lawyers have a video chat service. We also see clients who are hospitalized or cannot come to our office at convenient locations, by appointment.

Initial consultations are free. We handle product liability claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we secure a successful result for you.

Speak with our seasoned Kansas City defective battery attorneys now

Don’t delay. If a defective battery caused your injuries or the death of a loved one, we need to examine the battery. We need to speak with witnesses while their memories are fresh. We need to help you get the medical attention you need. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we understand how concerned you are about your health, your finances, your family, and your life. Call us at 816-290-7621, start a live chat today, or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

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