After the holidays, everyone is out testing their latest gadgets and toys. One of the more popular purchases for Christmas 2015 was the new hoverboard. While they’ve been out for a few months, hoverboards have already tallied up an excessive number of injuries – ranging from falls and slips to even fires. According to recent reports, hoverboards have been reported for randomly bursting into flames.
Already there are two lawsuits underway in the country. One is by a couple that is suing a retailer after their hoverboard caused a serious fire in their home. Another lawsuit comes from New York where a father has filed a suit against the manufacturer after his son’s hoverboard exploded into flames while charging.
While these are the only two lawsuits currently underway, the number of injuries and especially those caused by fires continues to increase.
The Risk of Hoverboards
Hoverboards cost upwards of $500 and are not actual floating devices; instead, hoverboards are electric scooters without handles. A rider must balance themselves on the platform while being propelled by two wheels. The hoverboards are designed to make balance easier, but that does not mean a person is free from the risk of falling – and encountering serious injuries because of those falls.
Already emergency rooms are seeing an increase in the number of injuries they have treated directly related to hoverboards. This includes fractures, sprains, contusions, lacerations, brain injuries, concussions and more.
There is an alarming number of reports that hoverboards have burst into flames – causing whole house fires or damaging the rooms they are in. Because of these reports, three of the country’s largest airlines – Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines – have all banned them from their allowed cargo lists. New York City has also banned the use of hoverboards and Amazon has started to pull certain models from their website.
Hoverboard manufacturers claim that the risks are spelled out clearly in their user manuals – but it is unlikely they address the risk of sudden explosions. Some manufacturers have gone as far to state that users are not charging with the proper charging device; therefore, they caused their own fire. In reality, the charger provided with the hoverboard is unique; and it is unlikely a user would find something similar on the market to replace it.
The cause of the fires is unknown, but some believe it is the use of inexpensive lithium ion batteries and battery defects.
Was Your Child Injured by a Defective Hoverboard or in Another Way?
When a child suffers an injury, it can be devastating. Young children should be able to enjoy their presents without risk of serious injury. If your child has been injured because of a defective hoverboard or they have suffered their injuries in another way, contact the Kansas City attorneys at Horn Law today for a consultation. Schedule your appointment at (816) 795-7500 or fill out an online contact form with your legal questions.
