Lithium batteries do explode under pressure or due to flawed or faulty design of manufacturing. If you or someone you love was injured by an exploding lithium battery, a product liability lawyer in Florida can help you identify the at-fault party and recover appropriate financial compensation.
Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into how the battery exploded. Their investigation can include researching the brand of the battery and consulting industry experts who can define the cause of the explosion. By filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, you can recover various damages from the at-fault party and their insurance provider.
What Causes Lithium Batteries to Explode?
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research cites the components of lithium batteries as lithium, graphite, cobalt, and manganese. Lithium batteries can explode:
- As the result of a chemical chain reaction
- Due to a rapid increase in temperature
- Overuse and the release of energy
Separation failure can also lead to an explosion. This failure can be the result of a manufacturing or design flaw. If this was the case and you or a loved one was injured, a local personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages from the liable party, which is often the manufacturer of the device or battery.
What Types of Consumer Products Use Lithium Batteries?
Many consumer products rely on the power supplied through battery usage. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, the following products use lithium, or lithium-ion batteries (the rechargeable type of lithium battery) as their power source:
- Electronics
- Toys
- E-cigarettes
- Wireless headphones
- Handheld power tools
- Appliances of varying sizes
- Electric vehicles
- Energy storage systems
Additional products that use lithium batteries include digital cameras, pacemakers, laptops, smartphones, smart watches, portable power banks, and alarm systems. If you were injured by an exploding lithium battery while using one of these products, you can consult a law firm in your area to explore your compensation options.
What Types of Injuries Can Exploding Lithium Batteries Cause?
The components of lithium batteries are separated by a thin layer of protective polypropylene. This component prevents potentially dangerous electrodes from coming into contact with each other.
If the separator malfunctions or is poorly or improperly made or installed, resulting injuries can include:
- Chemical burns
- Electrical burns
- Dangerous fire
- Dental injuries
- Facial injuries
- Neck injuries
- Injuries to digits
- Impact injuries
A lawyer can help you recover the costs of medical care to treat your injuries. They can also help you recover the financial expenses and losses related to your injury and recovery.
What Type of Lawyer Handles an Injury Case for Lithium Battery Explosions?
Product liability cases like these are typically handled by a personal injury or product liability lawyer. When choosing a lawyer to represent you, you should understand what personal injury lawyers do that can benefit your case.
Your lawyer will:
- Communicate with the at-fault party and their insurer
- Determine the cause of the battery failure
- Investigate any voluntary or involuntary recalls on the battery brand
- Identify and consult battery industry and medical experts
- Identify witnesses who were present when the explosion happened
- Hold the battery manufacturer or any other liable party accountable
A lawyer will also represent you during the negotiation process. They can field settlement offers and weigh the pros and cons of each offer you receive. Your legal team will provide you with updates as your case progresses.
What Evidence Do You Need for a Lithium Battery Explosion Case?
The insurance company representing the at-fault party will require proof of their policyholder’s negligence. Your legal team will build a comprehensive case file that substantiates your claim.
To bolster and support your case, your case file will contain:
- Medical records describing your injuries and identifying their cause
- Photos of your injuries and of the location of the accident
- The results of tests performed on the exploded battery and device
- Medical first responder reports and notes related to your injuries
- Firefighter reports related to the explosion and any resulting fire
Your law firm will handle evidence collection, leaving you free to focus on your recovery or on helping an injured loved one through their recovery.
What Damages Can Be Recovered for Injuries When Lithium Batteries Explode?
The injuries you suffer from a lithium battery explosion can require long-term medical care. Your lawyer will carefully track your injuries, including obtaining a copy of your written prognosis. This step accounts for additional medical expenses you might require for future medical care, including treating disfiguring injuries.
If these costs are not included in your settlement agreement, you cannot request them at a later date. In addition to current and future medical costs, your lawyer will request compensation for your:
- Current and future lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Disability and disfigurement
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished quality of life
Legal guidance when determining your recoverable damages can help you avoid having your case undervalued or underpaid. Your lawyer can also help you avoid a speedy settlement offer that does not account for all the accident’s costs.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Lithium Battery Explosion Cases?
The personal injury statute of limitations in Florida does not give you much time to file a personal injury lawsuit. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to meet the filing deadline.
If this deadline expires, you could inadvertently forfeit your right to file your lawsuit at all. This could cause the insurance company to refuse any further negotiation. Either outcome, or having your case dismissed before it can be heard, could result in an inability to compel the at-fault party to compensate you.
Get a Free Review of Your Lithium Battery Explosion Case
Lithium batteries explode for a variety of reasons. If you or someone you love was injured by a lithium battery explosion, you could hold the battery’s manufacturer responsible for compensating you. You may be eligible to recover a wide range of damages.
You do not have to take on a lithium battery company or their insurer on your own. Contact our consultation team at Ged Lawyers to find out how hard our client-focused legal team will fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
