They were one of the hottest gifts given out for Christmas and they are quickly becoming a big contributor to personal injuries. We’re talking about hoverboards. Hoverboards have randomly been bursting into flames and as a result are being escalated by personal injury attorneys as a lawsuit.
Two known lawsuits are already in the works. One of which features an Alabama couple whose hoverboard device caused a fire in their home, and the other a New York man whose home caught fire while charging his kids’ hoverboard.
In the past few weeks there have been a number of law firms across the country dedicating a portion of their practice to personal injuries associated with hoverboards. Rightly so given the number of hoverboards that were sold and gifted for the holidays.
Hoverboards don’t actually hover. They are motorized self-balancing scooters that are linked to 22 reports of fire being investigated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The number of reports has forced airlines to ban the products as they pose a fire hazard.
These early reports indicate that the fire issue is not linked to just one brand nor to one “activity.” Some have caught fire while charging and others while in use. The fires all appear at first glance to be linked to cheap lithium ion batteries.
Lawsuits for Hoverboards
Some good quality hoverboards are designed in such a way that prevents the batteries from overheating, which lowers the opportunity for fire. Poorly manufactured devices, however, do not have such safety measures.
Owners who experience problems with their hoverboards may have a case to pursue, and depending on state law can sue the manufacturers directly, or even the retailers themselves. Initial expectations are that hoverboard companies will likely fight back in court.
Personal injury attorneys are quick to point out that the majority of injuries associated with hoverboard use are falls and collisions that aren’t likely to merit a lawsuit. Unless those injuries can be directly linked to a defect in the scooter, a large portion of injuries won’t qualify for legal action.
