Tesla Battery Fires And Product Liability Claims: What Consumers Should Know

Tesla vehicles have greatly helped popularize electric vehicles in the U.S.; however, many lawsuits have been filed against the company due to instances of its lithium-ion battery failing. Although electric cars are generally considered safe, lawsuits filed against Tesla indicate that injuries and deaths have resulted from thermal runaway.

Thermal runaway is the main problem associated with these lawsuits. It occurs when heat is generated by damaged cells in a lithium-ion battery, which can eventually cause other cells to catch fire. Once the fire begins, it becomes very difficult to put out because it becomes very hot.

Lawsuits alleging battery fire hazards 

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Tesla in relation to allegations that the occupants of their vehicles were injured or killed as a result of battery fires caused by car accidents.

For example, a lawsuit recently brought by the family of a Wisconsin couple who lost their lives alleged that the occupants could not escape the burning Tesla Model S after it burst into flames. In this case, the electronic door system refused to open, preventing the occupants from escaping. Ultimately, they died.

In another lawsuit brought before the court by a Long Island man, he alleged that his Tesla Model 4 went up in smoke after entering thermal runaway after a collision. Consequently, he was severely burnt during the incident and required several skin grafts to repair the damage. According to the lawsuit, Tesla’s design made the matter worse.

Furthermore, there are numerous lawsuits involving the allegation that batteries of Tesla cars were defectively designed and caused fires, leading to fatalities after collisions.

Why lithium-ion batteries represent unique risks 

Whereas gas flames would stop burning after they ran out of fuel, lithium-ion batteries continue burning even after it looks like the fire has been put out. Thermal runaway makes it difficult to extinguish the burning batteries through the use of only water and firefighting methods. It has been noted by professionals that electric vehicle fire is fiercer than the fire in traditional cars because of the continuous heating caused by the lithium-ion batteries.

There are various lawsuits against Tesla alleging that plaintiffs were unable to exit their vehicles after crashes due to malfunctioning door mechanisms caused by battery fires.

Potential product liability claims 

When injuries or deaths arise from car fires, plaintiffs can sue the manufacturer and others to recover damages related to their injuries and hold the company that caused their burns liable for damages.

• Defects in the design of the battery
• Manufacturing defects
• Defective warnings for risks
• Defective doors and escape mechanisms
• Negligent testing

Defenses that may be raised will vary depending on the facts of the case, but potential defendants could be the vehicle manufacturer, the battery manufacturer, or any manufacturer.

Talk to a Lithium-Ion Battery Injury Attorney Today 

Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of those injured by defective lithium-ion batteries. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your case right away.