The Scope of the Problem
Lithium-ion batteries now power nearly every rechargeable device in modern life — from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools, and electric vehicles. When these batteries malfunction due to manufacturing defects, design flaws, or damaged cells, they can undergo a catastrophic process called thermal runaway, in which a single failing cell triggers a chain reaction of heat, fire, and in some cases a violent explosion.
The scale of the crisis is staggering. The New York City Fire Department reported 28 fires and 16 injuries from lithium-ion batteries in 2019, which grew to 104 fires, 79 injuries, and 4 deaths in 2021, and then 268 fires, 150 injuries, and 18 deaths in 2023. Nationally, at least 208 fires or overheating incidents with micro-mobility devices were reported in less than two years across 39 states, resulting in at least 19 deaths.
Notable Recalls and Incidents
In 2016, Samsung issued a worldwide recall of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after batteries burst into flames and exploded, prompting the FAA to ban the devices from all commercial flights. More recently, federal regulators reissued a recall for more than 400,000 Casely lithium-ion power banks after dozens of new overheating reports emerged, including one explosion that led to a woman’s death and another incident that injured a passenger on an airplane.
Electric vehicles have also been a major source of battery fire incidents. In 2022, Chevrolet recalled 142,000 Bolt electric vehicles due to battery fires caused by defects in LG cells, at a cost of more than $1.8 billion. Between 2020 and 2022, multiple automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, General Motors, Chrysler, and Volkswagen also notified federal safety regulators about battery defects in their electric vehicles.
Incidents and Injuries
A fire in a Brooklyn home that killed three family members and injured 14 others was determined by FDNY investigators to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery. In a separate incident in Queens, a 7-year-old child and a teenager were killed in a house fire sparked by a lithium-ion battery in an e-bike, forcing other residents to jump from windows to escape.
EV fires burn at an average of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit — more than three times the temperature of a conventional gas fire burning at approximately 1,500 degrees — making lithium-ion battery fires exceptionally difficult to control and extinguish. As FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has noted, these fires do not smolder — they explode with tremendous volume and intensity from the moment of ignition.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When a lithium-ion battery fire or explosion is caused by a defective product, product liability law allows injured consumers to pursue compensation from any party in the supply chain responsible for the defect. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include the battery manufacturer, the device manufacturer, the importer, and the retailer that sold the product.
Courts have consistently held that consumers should not bear the financial burden of injuries caused by defectively designed or manufactured batteries, particularly when the product ignited spontaneously during normal use or charging.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Anyone who has been burned, injured, or displaced — or lost a loved one — due to a lithium-ion battery fire or explosion may have significant legal options. A class action lawsuit could provide a path to compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, wrongful death, 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://energy.umd.edu/news/story/new-book-on-safety-challenges-and-strategies-of-using-lithiumion-batteries
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lithium-ion-batteries-dangers-warning-fatal-fires-new-york-city/
3. https://www.firerescue1.com/lithium-ion-battery-fires/articles/fdny-lithium-ion-battery-fire-fatalities-in-2023-will-likely-surpass-last-2-years-combined-Vzg1OAj79Ob061j9/
4. https://www.levinsimes.com/blog/lithium-ion-battery-fire-statistics
5. https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/consumer/casely-power-bank-recall-death-plane-fire/article_44df7ef0-906e-46ae-8d52-638896fa57fd.html