Christmas 2015 saw an explosion in the popularity of self-balancing scooters, dubbed “hoverboards.” In the first holiday season since their release, more than 500,000 hoverboards were added to American households. According to the Washington Post, one hoverboard sold every 12 seconds on Cyber Monday, making it the hottest gift of the season.
What all those excited kids and parents and kids didn’t anticipate was just how hot those gifts would be. Reports began to roll in about self-balancing scooters and hoverboards catching fire, causing severe damage to homes and garages, and causing injuries. Because the fires occurred under widely varying circumstances, involving multiple brands and styles, initial inquiries prompted retailers to issue warnings that consumers should only use the charger provided with their device; reports of fires continued to pour in. In response, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) began investigating the reports, issuing a warning in February 2016 that all brands of hoverboards should be avoided. The CPSC investigation found that the lithium-ion batteries powering the devices were responsible for the fires. These batteries contain chambers of highly flammable liquid, which have been positively and negatively charged. The membrane dividing the chambers is too fragile for the rough-and-tumble use of the hoverboard: when the membranes become damaged, the positive and negative fluids mix and overheat, causing fire and explosion. Because the lithium-ion batteries come from multiple overseas factories, they can’t be traced to a single manufacturer to ensure quality control. In July, The Consumer Product Safety Commission officially issued a recall for self- balancing scooters and hoverboards manufactured under these brands: Swagway, Hover Way, X Rider, NWS, Hovertrax from Razor, Airwalk Self Balancing Electric Scooter, Mobile Tech, X Glider, Hover Shark, Back to the Future, The iMoto, Hyper Roam, Wheeli and 2Wheelz. The devices are thought to be so dangerous that they are banned on commercial flights by more than 60 airlines from around the world.
If you or someone you love has been affected by a hoverboard or self-balancing scooter fire, it’s important to consult with an attorney. At Atkinson Petruska Kozma Hart & Couture, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured and their families. We are a dedicated group of attorneys who engage in continuing education, as teachers and students, to maintain both our acumen as attorneys and the close-knit nature of our community. Put our experience as advocates for the injured to work for you; call us today at 1.877.732.2491 to learn more about how our attorneys can help with your injury case or any legal needs.