Nothing can describe the anguish parents go through when their child is seriously injured by a danger they did not foresee. Button batteries power many common devices, including hearing aids, watches, key fobs, flameless candles, and holiday ornaments. Unfortunately, these tiny batteries can be deadly for children and vulnerable adults who might swallow one and become seriously ill.
When one of your family members swallows a button battery or gets one stuck in their nose or ear, the damage that can be done is devastating. All too many parents understand this pain and have taken brave steps to make sure other families don’t have to endure this trauma. Button battery lawsuits against manufacturers, product designers, and retailers are the best way to hold manufacturers accountable and to create change in a relatively unregulated industry. Our compassionate lawyers can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At OnderLaw, we have a long history of standing with parents to make a difference. We’re here with you every step of the way.
Button batteries are tiny: the largest ones are less than an inch across and less than a quarter-inch tall. They’re especially dangerous because they’re usually found in household objects such as remote controls and key fobs. Parents are often unaware of the many objects with button batteries that must be kept out of children’s reach.
Button batteries contain toxic components like sulfuric acid, cadmium, lithium, and lead, which can cause significant damage when someone comes in contact with them.
Button batteries are small enough for children to swallow and sometimes get stuck in a child’s throat or digestive tract. The battery releases sodium hydroxide—lye—which can burn through a child’s esophagus or other organs in just a few hours. The batteries do similar damage when lodged in a child’s nose or ear. When someone swallows a button battery, the lye erodes their stomach lining, causing permanent injury to internal organs.
Unfortunately, sometimes parents don’t know a child has ingested the battery until it has done severe damage. In the face of even the most devastating situations, we can not only help you receive some form of justice, but we can stand with you to create change.
Product manufacturers must guarantee their products are safe for foreseeable uses. A manufacturer or a retailer that sold a product could be liable if the product is unsafe when used in a manner the manufacturer should have reasonably anticipated.
Button batteries often power toys, electronic devices, and other items that make sounds or produce light that children find attractive. A manufacturer should expect that a child would play with such objects. If a child could open or break the battery storage component, the product likely has a design defect. If the manufacturer did not caution users against the possibility of a child opening the battery compartment, the absence of a warning could render the product legally defective.
In the summer of 2022, President Biden signed a law requiring button battery manufacturers to ensure the item is child-safe, including child-proof packaging. The law also required warning labels for products containing button batteries.
If your child or loved one is seriously injured by a button battery, reach out to an experienced injury attorney at OnderLaw. Our knowledgeable legal professionals can advise you on whether bringing a button battery lawsuit is possible in your unique case.
You may be able to hold a manufacturer or retailer accountable if your child or loved one is injured in a button battery accident. You could receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, any permanent injuries, and pain and suffering. More importantly, you can use the legal system to force them to change the way they do business.
Your state law determines how much time you have before you must file suit, so do not delay. Call now to discuss the button battery lawsuits with one of our dedicated lawyers at OnderLaw. We don’t just take on cases; we take on causes—and we’re ready to take on yours.
