Many products are designed with a specific purpose, like convenience, entertainment or functionality. However, one flaw in a product’s design could make a product’s use turn deadly.
After three years, one family is receiving a settlement after a defective hoverboard caused a fire in a family home and almost ended in fatal injury.
A fun time that ended in flames
A small family bought a Fiturbo F1 hoverboard from Amazon as a Christmas gift for the youngest son. However, the gift was short-lived as the hoverboard had burst into flames in the home on Jan. 9, 2016.
The two teenagers suffered injuries as they tried to escape the house amidst the fire. The flames end up destroying the home, with losses around $1.9 million.
After the incident, the family sought a lawsuit against Amazon as the family argued that Amazon holds blame as hosting the product on the site. However, Amazon insisted that they held no responsibility as the product came from a third-party seller.
Initially, the family sought over $30 million in damages due to property damages, injuries across family members and the emotional trauma the accident caused.
The federal judge sided with Amazon and dismissed the family’s first lawsuit. But after an appeal to the 6th district, Amazon worked with the family to come to a settlement that included a new warning on future hoverboard sales.
This is only one example of how a lovely gift turns deadly when a product’s flaw isn’t appropriately addressed. Do not wait for a house fire or damage property to seek proper compensation for dangerously defective products.
