The Growing Problem of Laptop Battery Fires
Nearly all modern laptops are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which pack a large amount of energy into a compact space. When these batteries malfunction — due to manufacturing defects, design flaws, or damage — they can enter a dangerous process called thermal runaway, in which one overheating battery cell triggers a chain reaction that can result in fire, explosion, or both.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported that laptop batteries catch fire in airports or on airplanes approximately every 10 days on average. The number of reported laptop fire incidents nearly doubled between 2014 and 2016 alone, reflecting how widespread the problem has become.
Notable Laptop Battery Recalls and Incidents
One of the largest laptop battery recalls in history occurred in August 2006, when Dell recalled approximately 4.1 million lithium-ion batteries used in its Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision laptop lines after reports of fires and explosions. The batteries, manufactured by Sony, were sold between April 2004 and July 2006.
In January 2018, HP recalled approximately 50,000 lithium-ion laptop batteries after receiving eight reports of overheating, melting, or charring — including one report of a first-degree burn to a consumer’s hand. The recall was subsequently expanded twice, ultimately growing to cover more than 78,500 battery units across multiple HP ProBook and ZBook laptop lines after additional overheating reports emerged.
In June 2019, Apple recalled approximately 458,000 fifteen-inch MacBook Pro laptops from the 2015 model year after determining the batteries could overheat and potentially catch fire. The recall was issued in cooperation with the CPSC and covered units sold worldwide.
Incidents and Injuries
The human toll of laptop battery fires is significant. Injuries associated with these incidents include severe burns, smoke inhalation, blast injuries from explosions, and in at least one documented case, death — an elderly man who was rescued from a laptop-caused fire later died from his injuries.
Beyond personal injury, laptop battery fires have destroyed homes, offices, and personal property. Because lithium-ion fires burn at extremely high temperatures and are notoriously difficult to extinguish, the damage from even a single incident can be catastrophic and far-reaching.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When a laptop fire or explosion is caused by a defective battery or a flawed design, multiple parties in the supply chain may bear legal responsibility. Potentially liable parties include the laptop manufacturer, the battery manufacturer, the retailer that sold the product, and any importer or distributor involved in bringing the product to market.
In cases where a fire occurred spontaneously during charging — with no user error involved — courts and investigators have generally pointed to manufacturing defects as the likely cause. Product liability law allows injured consumers to hold these parties accountable without having to prove negligence in every instance.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Consumers who were injured or suffered property damage as a result of a laptop fire or explosion may have significant legal options. A class action lawsuit could allow affected individuals to seek compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related losses. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your rights and whether you qualify to participate in a class action investigation.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Apple-Recalls-15-Inch-MacBook-Pro-Laptop-Computers-Due-to-Fire-Hazard
2. https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2019/hp-expands-recall-of-batteries-for-notebook-computers-and-mobile-workstations-due-to-fire-and-burn-hazards