Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
You use batteries every day in your mobile devices, electronics, and maybe even your car. Disposable and rechargeable batteries supply the energy for many of the items you use every day and when these devices work correctly, you probably never think about them.
Unfortunately, battery-related injuries occur more often than you may think and they can be devastating. Each year, people are injured or even killed by exploding or otherwise malfunctioning batteries. Batteries that overheat or catch fire can cause serious burns and facial injuries if the batteries are in your phone or e-cigarette. Incorrectly functioning batteries in your car can cause you to crash. In your home, poorly designed or flawed batteries can cause fires and serious injury to you and others.
You expect the batteries in your devices to be safe, but over the years many batteries have been recalled due to issues with design or manufacturing. There are a few ways you can stay safer when using your devices:
- Check batteries regularly. If you have batteries in your devices, check regularly to make sure the batteries look whole and undamaged. Any leaking or warped batteries may require a trip to a repair professional to ensure they can be extracted and replaced safely.
- Prevent batteries from overheating. Avoid using your devices in ways they are not meant to be used. Do not drop devices into water, for example. When using cell phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices using batteries, make sure you are not using the items in an enclosed space, under blankets, or anywhere where temperatures can rise quickly. Check to make sure there is adequate ventilation all around the device and get the device repaired if it seems to overheat in any way. To prevent damage to the device and its batteries, avoid leaving devices in very hot areas (such as inside your locked car) or in the sun.
- Check for recalls regularly. Sign up for alerts so you can be informed about any devices and their batteries which have been recalled or found to be unsafe. If you are buying new electronics, appliances, or personal devices, always check safety ratings before buying. Replace poorly-rated and recalled items before they cause any damage.
- Understand what batteries and chargers are safe to use with your devices. Never use chargers not intended for your batteries or batteries that are not the right fit for your device. This can cause leaking, explosions, and dangerous overheating.
- Treat batteries correctly. Store them in cool and dry environments. Never try to pry batteries open and keep them well out of reach of children.
- Check and replace batteries in inactive devices. If you have not used an item in some time, check to make sure that the battery is still whole and safe. Consider replacing the battery to ensure your device works and the battery has not had a chance to malfunction.
If you are injured by an overheating or exploding battery, seek medical help at once. Batteries can expose you to dangerous fumes and chemicals when they malfunction and you will want a full medical evaluation. Keep the malfunctioning device and document any injuries with pictures and notes. Contact a Hollywood personal injury attorney to find out whether seeking compensation through a legal claim could help you recover medical costs, lost income, and other expenses.
If you would like to speak to a Hollywood personal injury attorney, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation. Our legal team has more than 60 years of combined experience and has already recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of thousands of plaintiffs in the South Florida area.