After Two Major House Fires, Authorities Urge Immediate Discontinuation of Use
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a stern warning to consumers, urging them to stop using LayZ Board hoverboards immediately. This warning follows two devastating house fires linked to the self-balancing scooters, with one resulting in the tragic deaths of two young children. Despite the initial warning in May 2017, another fire in October 2017 destroyed a townhome and damaged multiple other residences, underscoring the ongoing risks associated with these products.
LayZ Board hoverboards, manufactured in Shenzhen, China, were imported into the United States in quantities exceeding 3,000 units. The product is a battery-powered, two-wheeled self-balancing scooter that allows riders to pivot on a platform using their feet. While hoverboards have grown in popularity among consumers of all ages, the safety risks posed by LayZ Board models have made them a serious fire hazard.
The Fire Risks and Official Warnings
The first reported incident occurred on March 10, 2017, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when a LayZ Board hoverboard ignited inside a home, resulting in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of two young girls. The severity of this incident prompted the CPSC to issue its initial warning about the product in May 2017.
Despite this public safety alert, another fire linked to a LayZ Board hoverboard erupted on October 23, 2017, in Manchester Township, Pennsylvania. This blaze resulted in the complete destruction of a townhome and extensive damage to four others. Given this recurring hazard, the CPSC has reinforced its stance, advising all consumers to immediately stop charging and using these hoverboards.
The underlying issue appears to be the product’s lithium-ion battery, which has been identified as a leading cause of spontaneous combustion in defective electronic devices. These batteries, if poorly manufactured or improperly insulated, can overheat, short-circuit, and catch fire. Since hoverboards are often charged indoors, fires can rapidly escalate, leading to catastrophic damage before anyone has the chance to react.
How Victims Have Been Harmed by LayZ Board Hoverboards
The defective design of LayZ Board hoverboards has led to deadly consequences. Fires caused by these products have resulted in significant loss of life, destruction of homes, and severe emotional and financial distress for victims. Families have been forced to evacuate their residences with little to no warning, often escaping with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The speed at which these fires spread has made it difficult for victims to save personal belongings, resulting in the loss of irreplaceable valuables.
Beyond property damage, the psychological impact on affected families is profound. Losing a loved one, especially a child, due to a preventable defect in a consumer product is devastating. Survivors of these fires may also experience long-term emotional trauma, requiring therapy and counseling to cope with their losses. The financial burden of rebuilding after a fire—covering medical expenses, temporary housing, and lost wages—can place immense strain on victims and their families.
Legal Options for Victims: Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit
Individuals who have suffered injuries, lost loved ones, or experienced property damage due to a LayZ Board hoverboard fire may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit. Under U.S. consumer protection laws, manufacturers and distributors are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe for public use. If a product is found to have a design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or inadequate warnings about potential dangers, the manufacturer can be held legally accountable for damages.
The legal process for filing a product liability lawsuit begins with identifying the specific defect that led to the harm. In the case of LayZ Board hoverboards, the lithium-ion battery system has proven to be dangerously unstable, leading to spontaneous fires. Plaintiffs must provide evidence linking the defective product to their injuries or losses, such as fire department reports, witness statements, and documentation of property damage.
Victims must then file a legal complaint against the responsible parties, including the manufacturer in China and any companies involved in importing or selling the product in the U.S. The discovery phase follows, during which both sides gather evidence, including internal company records that may reveal whether the manufacturer was aware of the product’s defect but failed to take corrective action.
Many product liability cases result in settlements before going to trial. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case proceeds to court, where a judge or jury determines the extent of the manufacturer’s liability and the compensation owed to the victims.
Why Victims Need Legal Representation
Pursuing a product liability claim without legal assistance can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with manufacturers based in foreign countries. Corporations often employ aggressive defense strategies to minimize payouts or deny responsibility altogether. An attorney with experience in defective product claims can help victims by gathering critical evidence, filing the necessary legal documents, and negotiating with the opposing party to secure fair compensation.
Legal representation ensures that victims do not settle for inadequate compensation that fails to cover the full extent of their losses. A lawyer can also help navigate the complexities of product recalls, potential class action lawsuits, and claims against multiple responsible parties, including retailers who sold the defective hoverboards.
Damages Available in a Product Liability Lawsuit
Victims of LayZ Board hoverboard fires may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the extent of their damages. Those who have suffered physical injuries may receive coverage for medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, and rehabilitation. If the fire resulted in fatalities, families may pursue wrongful death claims, seeking damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
Property damage claims can cover the costs of rebuilding homes, replacing lost belongings, and securing temporary housing. Victims may also be compensated for lost wages if the fire forced them to take time off work or if their place of employment was destroyed.
In some cases, courts award punitive damages if the manufacturer’s negligence is found to be particularly egregious. These damages serve as a penalty for companies that knowingly put consumers at risk and as a deterrent against similar misconduct in the future.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries, property damage, or other losses due to a LayZ Board hoverboard fire, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The national product injury law firm Parker Waichman LLP is committed to holding negligent manufacturers accountable and protecting the rights of consumers.
Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review
Contact us by calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today for a free, no-obligation consultation and let our legal team help you seek justice. Regardless of where your injury occurred, our national product injury law firm is ready to fight for the monetary compensation your case deserves.
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