Overview
The recall of Trianium battery phone cases, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on October 7, 2020, addresses a critical safety flaw in lithium-ion batteries that can overheat and ignite, posing burn hazards to users [1]. These cases, designed to charge mobile phones on the go, were sold exclusively on Amazon.com from September 2014 to July 2020 for $30–$100, affecting 367,000 units across 17 model numbers in black, gray, white, and pink colors.
The “Trianium” branding is printed on the back, with model numbers like TM000006 and TM-06A-4000BBLK listed on the case. Endliss Technology Inc. of Hayward, California, imported the cases from China, and the CPSC has received 96 reports of overheating, including 10 burn injuries from thermal runaway, where batteries can explode or catch fire.
Consumers are urged to stop using the cases, dispose of them per local battery regulations, and contact Endliss for a free replacement power pack. The recall, numbered 21-003, highlights risks in e-commerce battery sales, where third-party vendors may bypass safety checks. Potential class action lawsuits are emerging, accusing Endliss and Amazon of negligence, product liability, and failure to warn, as users face medical bills and property damage from these faulty devices.
This recall is part of a series of lithium-ion battery safety issues, including the 2021 Anker Power Bank recall and 2020 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle, which cost billions. The Trianium cases’ popularity on Amazon, with thousands of reviews praising their convenience, belies the hazard, potentially creating a large plaintiff class. Legal action could target Amazon’s marketplace liability, as seen in the 2019 Bolger v. Amazon case, where the platform was held accountable for defective third-party products.
Affected Trianium Battery Phone Case Models
The recall includes 17 model numbers of Trianium battery phone cases:
- TM000006, TM000007, TM000008, TM000009, TM000010, TM000011, TM000046, TM000047, TM000048, TM000049, TM000101, TM000103, TM-06A-4000BBLK, TM-06A-4000ROGD, TM-06A-4000WSLV, TM-S6BC-BLK, MTS-3000-BBLK.
These cases, compatible with various mobile phones, are identifiable by the “Trianium” branding on the back and colors black, gray, white, or pink. Sold on Amazon.com from September 2014 to July 2020 for $30–$100, all units are affected regardless of lot number.
Hazards of the Defective Battery Phone Cases
The Trianium battery phone cases pose significant risks:
- Overheating and Thermal Runaway: Lithium-ion batteries can overheat spontaneously, leading to fires or explosions.
- Burn Hazards: Hot cases can cause first- to third-degree burns upon contact.
- Explosion Risk: Overheated batteries may rupture, ejecting shrapnel or flames.
- Property Damage: Fires can spread to pockets, bags, or surfaces, causing extensive harm.
The CPSC reported 96 overheating incidents, including 10 burns, with thermal runaway as the primary mechanism.
Symptoms of Injuries from Defective Battery Cases
Users injured by the Trianium cases may experience:
- Burn Symptoms: Redness, blistering, or deep tissue damage from hot batteries.
- Explosion Injuries: Lacerations, bruises, or hearing loss from blasts.
- Smoke Inhalation: Coughing, shortness of breath, or throat irritation from fire smoke.
- Emotional Distress: Anxiety or trauma from fire incidents.
Treatment costs for burns range from $1,000 for minor cases to $50,000 for severe injuries requiring hospitalization.
Recall Remedy and Consumer Actions
The CPSC and Endliss Technology recommend:
- Immediately stop using the recalled Trianium battery phone cases.
- Dispose of the cases according to local battery recycling laws, avoiding regular trash.
- Contact Endliss at 844-609-0874 or www.trianium.com/recall for a free replacement power pack.
Endliss is notifying known buyers, and refunds are processed upon verification. Consumers should document incidents for potential claims, as processing may take 2–4 weeks.
Potential for a Class Action Lawsuit
The recall of 367,000 Trianium battery phone cases, with 96 overheating incidents and 10 burns, establishes grounds for class action lawsuits against Endliss Technology and Amazon. Potential claims include:
- Product Liability: Alleging defective batteries caused thermal runaway, violating safety standards.
- Negligence: Claiming Endliss failed to test for overheating risks before sales.
- Failure to Warn: Asserting inadequate warnings about fire hazards on packaging or listings.
- Breach of Consumer Protection Laws: Arguing misrepresentation of the cases as safe, violating state statutes.
Plaintiffs may seek compensation for medical expenses ($1,000–$50,000 for burns), property damage, and punitive damages for negligence. The absence of widespread injuries may limit claims, but the volume (367,000 units) suggests a large class, similar to the 2020 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall, which settled for $1.4 billion. Amazon’s marketplace role could lead to co-defendant liability, per Bolger v. Amazon (2019). Successful litigation could mandate battery safety certifications for e-commerce and enhanced retailer oversight.
Do I Have an Amazon Battery Phone Case Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers focusing on the representation of plaintiffs in Amazon Battery Phone Case lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new burn injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Amazon Battery Phone Case Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has experienced burns or property damage from a recalled Trianium battery phone case, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing an Amazon Battery Phone Case class action suit, and our lawyers can help.
References
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Endliss-Technology-Recalls-Trianium-Battery-Phone-Cases-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com