Michigan Exploding Products Lawyer

At Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., our skillful attorneys have handled cases stemming from the handling of defective and combustible products. Unfortunately, there are many types of consumer items that have caused burn damage and other serious injuries to users throughout the state.

We may determine your exploding product case would be better suited by an attorney outside of The Buckfire Law Firm that specializes in your case type.  If so, our team will let you know and will be happy to make the referral directly for you if you wish.  Our goal is to make sure you get the best legal representation for your specific needs.

Therefore, if you or a loved one was injured after safely handling one of these dangerous items, you might benefit from reaching out to a Michigan exploding products lawyer for help. Depending on the circumstances of an incident, you might be able to pursue compensation against the manufacturers for the damages their item caused.

• Why do Some Items Explode?
• Defective Vaporizer Pens and Electronic Cigarettes
• Fitbit Smartwatch Burns and Pressure Cooker Explosions
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Burns
• Retain a Michigan Exploding Products Attorney for Help

Which Products Have Been Harmful?

While any number of items can be dangerous and combustible, there are some common exploding products that have been sold to the public recently. These include:

• Fitbit Smartwatches
• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
• Cellular phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
• Pressure cookers
• Vape pens (vaporizers)
• Natural gas
• Hoverboards

Why do Some Items Explode?

Many products explode due to poor design and flaws in the manufacturing of the product. Other products explode due to wiring problems or defective batteries.

With the push to make products smaller and more user-friendly, the batteries that power these devices become smaller. too. When this happens, the energy inside the battery becomes too much for the casing—thereby causing the devices to explode and, oftentimes, resulting in burn injuries to those who use them. If an item does explode, there are several things that an individual should do immediately after. These include:

• Get prompt medical attention
• File a police report, if possible
• Save the device that exploded, so that experts can determine the cause
• Take photos of the product and the damage caused by it
• Take photographs of any injuries
• Find a receipt or credit card bill showing proof of purchase
• Notify the police of the accident, especially if they do not come to the accident scene

Along with these steps, it could be crucial to contact a Michigan exploding products lawyer to discuss how to best proceed. If the proximate cause of an injury can be traced back to a defective and combustible product, an injured individual might be able to request compensation against a negligent manufacturer.

Defective Vaporizer Pens and Electronic Cigarettes

Vaporizers, also called personal vaporizers (PV) or vape devices, are a popular choice for many people that want to experience the satisfaction of smoking without the harmful effects associated with combustion and burning. Similarly, E-cigarettes, also called personal vaporizers (PV), are battery-powered devices that simulate tobacco smoking by producing a heated vapor, which resembles smoke.

The lithium-ion batteries that power vape pens and e-cigs are prone to explosions and catching fire. Burns from vape pen explosions may occur on the face, arms, chest, and torso of the consumer. Serious injuries to the eyes can also happen from an explosion. These injuries are often serious and can lead to hospitalization, extensive medical care, plastic surgery, and permanent disfigurements.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a cylindrical lithium-ion battery is made by winding alternating layers of metallic anode and cathode material separated by a porous film. The separator film holds a liquid electrolyte made of an organic solvent and dissolved lithium salts. This core is placed into a cylindrical metal can through the open end, and the can is then sealed closed tightly so that the liquid electrolyte cannot escape or evaporate. All of the electrolytes currently used in lithium-ion batteries are either flammable or combustible liquids. It is this flammable electrolyte that causes the fire and explosion when the lithium-ion battery overheats.

Fitbit Smartwatch Burns

The Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch was recalled in March 2022 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission due to the risk of the lithium-ion battery overheating, which is a burn hazard. There have been at least 115 reports in the United States and 59 reports internationally about the Fitbit Ionic lithium-ion battery overheating.

There have been 78 reports of burn injuries due to the overheating battery, with two being third-degree burns and four being second-degree burns. Internationally, there have been 40 reports of burns. The defective Fitbit Ionic may cause different types of burns, including first-, second- and third-degree burns.

Pressure Cooker Explosions

Numerous reports of pressure cooker explosions have been documented in the news.   Pressure cookers explode because a high amount of pressure is trapped inside the appliance. When the lid is lifted, the built-up pressure can cause the food to explode onto the consumer.  Some explosions are caused by faulty parts or other defects of the appliance itself.

Several pressure cooker lawsuits have been filed across the United States.  The cases are filed against the product manufacturer and the seller of the pressure cooker, including large retailers.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Burns

Samsung stated that after testing more than 200,000 Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, it found defects in two sets of batteries from two different manufacturers that made the devices prone to catch fire. The South Korean company ruled out any problems with other aspects of the Note 7, either in its hardware or its software. Rechargeable lithium batteries are reportedly more susceptible to overheating than other types of batteries if they are exposed to high temperatures, are damaged, or have manufacturing flaws.

According to the Associated Press, the Galaxy Note 7 featured one of the biggest battery capacities so far for smartphones at 3,500 mAh, or milliampere hour, which gave it the highest energy density of all Samsung’s devices. Despite new batteries, some consumers reported their phones continued to overheat. The harm caused by these exploding cellular phones can be devastating and lead to significant hospitalization, medical care, and permanent injuries. Samsung has since announced an expanded voluntary recall on all original and replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices sold or exchanged in the United States in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and in partnership with carriers and retailers.

Since the affected devices can overheat and pose a safety risk, Samsung asked consumers with a Galaxy Note 7 to power it down and contact the carrier or retail outlet where they purchased their device. The Galaxy Note 7 is banned on flights, including both carry-on and checked luggage. Most cell phone carriers will honor the replacement of Samsung Note 7 devices with any other device, regardless of the return policy. However, anyone injured after safely using a cell phone should consider reaching out to a well-versed exploding products lawyer for help with a Michigan claim.

How Much are Exploding Product Lawsuit Settlements?

The amount of compensation that a victim of an exploding product can receive depends on a number of factors.  In general, the settlement award is based on the extent of the injury, the permanency of the injury, and any scars or disfigurements caused by the defective device.  Settlements also include payment for medical expenses and lost income.

In the event of death, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit.  These cases demand compensation for the pain and suffering of the victim from the time of the incident until death.  Recoverable damages also include money to compensate the family members for the loss of companionship of the loved one.  Additional compensation can be awarded for financial losses, such as loss of earnings and support for dependent family members.

Retain a Michigan Exploding Products Attorney for Help

If you or a loved one was injured after safely handling an item that turned out to be dangerous and combustible, a Michigan exploding products lawyer could help. After sustaining an injury, it might be difficult to understand your legal options and how to proceed.

However, when another person, business, or manufacturer’s negligence caused your injuries, you should not have to cover the resulting medical costs and associated expenses alone.

Call a legal an exploding products lawyer at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. today to learn more.

Exploding Products References and Resources

• FDA Vape Explosion Avoidance Tips
• MedLine Plus
• Consumer Product Safety Commission