Hoverboard Lawsuits, It’s Just the Beginning

Hoverboards were the most popular Christmas gifts this year. But, now it looks like they were gifts from, you know where! We’ve heard reports of hoverboards bursting into flames. We’re heard about hoverboards that are so poorly designed that riders take nasty spills suffering serious head injuries and broken bones. And now, we’re starting to hear about personal injury lawsuits stemming from hoverboard injuries.

There are at least two known lawsuits involving hoverboards. One has been filed in Alabama by a couple after one of the devices caused a fire in their home. They got their hoverboard from a kiosk in the local mall. Earlier this month in New York, Michael Brown filed a lawsuit after the board he bought for his kids ignited while charging. He is suing the manufacturer of the hoverboard, Swagway, as well as Modell’s sporting goods store where he bought the device. Brown is seeking class-action status for the case.

The Danger of Hoverboards

Going by the enthusiasm we’ve seen for hoverboards in Southern California, our personal injury lawyers are also expecting to get an increasing number of inquiries about hoverboard lawsuits. Hoverboards don’t actually hover, but are motorized self-balancing scooters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating at least 22 reports of hoverboard fires. The agency is also testing the products independently in its lab, but so far, has not issued any alerts. Airlines have banned the products because of the fire hazard. Hoverboards use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

The fires have been reported across brands. A number of these incidents occur while charging. But several others have also occurred while in use. Hoverboards are made in China by a number of manufacturers. However, this is not a hurdle when it comes to most personal injury lawsuits. Hoverboard owners can sue manufacturers directly or even retailers, depending on the circumstances of the case and state where the incident occurred.

What’s Your Claim Worth?

What you can expect to get from these companies depends on the nature and extent of the injuries and damages sustained. If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a hoverboard, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, scarring or disfigurement, pain and suffering and emotional distress. In a product liability lawsuit, injured victims must prove that the product was defectively manufactured, designed or marketed; that such a defect caused the injury and that the plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the injuries. An experienced hoverboard defect lawyer will be able to help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.