Exploding Lithium Battery Severely Burns Houston Man

July 25, 2019

On Saturday, August 9, 2018, Shawn Herrington suffered severe burns when an 3.7V Li-ion Rechargeable FLAT TOP Hybrid IMR battery, commonly used for vaping and e-Cigarettes, exploded violently in his pocket.  The e-Cig battery was marketed and sold to Mr. Herrington by Orbtronic, LLC, and resulted in Mr. Herrington suffering severe injuries and disfigurement from the explosion and the burning battery.  The explosion and fire was captured on film by a surveillance video camera.  A link to the video and graphic photos of the resulting injury is below.

Mr. Herrington’s attorneys, the law firm of Brent Coon & Associates, claim that the product was both defectively designed, manufactured and marketed as well as unreasonably dangerous for its intended use.  Additionally, there were no warnings presented to purchasers of the battery as to the known defects in the design, extreme risks of explosion, or the severe injuries likely to result.  Instead, Orbtronic made strong representations to the contrary, supplying false information relied on by Mr. Herrington as to the safety of the product.

“Orbtronic has been in business of marketing and selling e-cig batteries for a long time and had a duty to warn customers of the damages of exploding ion batteries,” says BCA Attorney Matt Willis.  “This is exactly the reason why safety warnings were created and the disclosure of danger are adhered to.  Sadly, not only were no warnings put in place and followed, but it appears the exact opposite is the case”

Brent Coon & Associates filed Mr. Herrington’s law suit today in Southern District of Texas Federal Court and seeks damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, disfigurement and impairment along with loss of earning capacity.

(click here to watch video of the explosion and view graphic photos of the resulting injury)