Have you heard about the growing number of hoverboard fires that have been occurring? Did your family or someone you know purchase a hoverboard last year or have a hoverboard under their Christmas tree? If the answer is yes, you need to be informed about the serious safety concerns with this product.
The Consumer product safety commission has received many reports of injuries and fires associated with this product making this “hot holiday gift item” much more than the phrase implies. In December the CPSC urged consumers to use caution when purchasing and using hoverboards while they were investigating problems associated with them.
Consumers were urged to purchase them from a reputable dealer and to make sure that the batteries and chargers had the certified UL (Underwriter Laboratories) listing. Unfortunately Underwriter Laboratories warned in January 2016 that they found counterfeit UL marks on Swagway Hoverboards.
Hoverboard Fires Cause Over $2 Million in Property Damage
In the six week period from December through the middle of February of this year the CPSC cited reports from consumers of 52 hoverboard fires that caused over $2 million dollars in property damage. Additionally there have been many injuries from falls from the hoverboards resulting in broken bones so severe that they required surgery.
On February 18, 2016 the CPSC notified hoverboard manufacturers, importers, and retailers that hoverboards “pose an unreasonable risk of fire” if they don’t meet the UL and UN/DOT safety standards. At this time there are no hoverboards being sold in the U.S. that meet this safety standard and the CPSC considers them to be defective. To date, all of the hoverboards sold in the U.S. have been manufactured in China.
The CPSC said that if safety standards are not met, they will issue hoverboard recalls. Many retailers have already removed these “toys” from sale and airlines will not allow them on their flights.
If your family has been impacted with property damage or personal injury due to a hoverboard you have recourse to seek compensation for your damages. A personal injury attorney who handles injury claims and defective product claims can help you get the compensation you need and deserve for your losses.
Defective Product Attorney for Defective Hoverboard Compensation
Contact Atlanta defective product attorney Joel Baskin if you have been hurt physically and/or financially due to a hoverboard injury or fire. Joel offers a free initial consultation so you can learn what Joel can do for you without worrying about any out-of-pocket costs.