CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH AMAZONBASICS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT LAWYERS FOR FREE
Out of the many shopping platforms, Amazon continues to dominate the market as the world’s largest online retailer, with 20.6 million visitors per month. However, the growth of online sales has come with increased injuries for consumers who purchase these products. From microwaves that catch on fire to electrical devices melting, a defective Amazon product can cause serious injuries and damage to you and your property.
You shouldn’t have to pay for an injury that’s not your fault. The product liability attorneys at Zinda Law Group have experience holding manufacturers and distributors accountable for dangerous and defective products and work to get victims the compensation they deserve. Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free attorney consultation if you have been injured by an AmazonBasics product.
AMAZONBASICS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT INJURIES
According to a CNN report, in the last four years, 1,500 AmazonBasics reviews from customers, which span across more than 70 products, reported that the products were exploding, catching on fire, smoking, melting, causing electrical malfunctions, or otherwise posing safety risks. According to customers, these defective AmazonBasics products caused a wide range of injuries, including:
- Electrical shocks
- Chemical burns
- Flame burns
- Smoke inhalation
- Property damage
DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS SOLD BY AMAZONBASICS
AmazonBasics currently carries over 5,000 products, including electronics, household appliances, home goods, and office accessories. A CNN report found that the following items had received at least three customer reviews for each of the below products that stated they were dangerous, a fire hazard, or unsafe. These items included:
Batteries
- AA 1.5 Volt Performance Alkaline Batteries
- AA & AAA Battery Charger
- 9 Volt Everyday Alkaline Batteries
- AAA 1.5 Volt Performance Alkaline Batteries
- Rechargeable Batteries
Surge Protectors
- 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 790 Joule
- 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 200 Joule
- 3-Outlet Surge Protector with 2 USB Ports
Charging Cords and Accessories
- Nylon Braided Lightning to USB A Cable, MFi Certified iPhone Charger
- USB Wall Charger
- USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Male Charger Cable
- Double Nylon Braided USB A Cable with Lightning Connector, Premium Collection
- USB Hub
- Lightning to USB A Cable, Advanced Collection
- Apple Certified 30-Pin to USB Cable
- USB Type-C to USB-A Male 3.1 Gen2 Adapter Charger Cable
- USB 2.0 A-Male to Micro B Charger Cable
- Lightning to USB A Cable iPhone Charger
- USB A Cable, MFi Certified iPhone Charger
- Micro-USB to USB 2.0 Cable
- Double Braided Nylon Lightning to USB Cable, Advanced Collection
- 10-Port USB 3.0 Charging Hub Docking Station
- USB Type-C to USB Type-C 2.0 Charger Cable
Office Appliances and Electronics
- 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
- Thermal Laminator Machine
- 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
- 6-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
- Wireless Computer Mouse with Nano Receiver
- High-Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder with Pullout Basket
- 24-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper, CD and Credit Card Shredder with Pullout Basket
- AC Powered Computer Speakers
Kitchen Appliances
- Voice Controlled Microwave
- 2 Slice Toaster
- Portable Electric Hot Water Kettle
- 5 Cup Coffee Maker
Other
- Outdoor Patio Heater
- 16/3 Vinyl Outdoor Extension Cord
- Mini DisplayPort Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter
- Jumper Cable for Car Battery
Despite several hundred complaints alerting the company to AmazonBasic product injuries and property damage, Amazon has only ever recalled two AmazonBasic products.
AMAZONBASICS PRODUCTS ARE CAUSING FIRES
AmazonBasics products have been traced to sparking, combusting, and starting fires in several products. In one case, an AmazonBasics microwave caught on fire after an eight-year-old heated up a macaroni and cheese cup. In another, a customer described a defective surge protector as a “blowtorch” when flames shot out of the device, which was near his baby’s nursery. These customers were able to avoid serious injuries, but others have not been as fortunate.
USB cords sold under the AmazonBasics line have also been linked to several fires and injuries. In one instance, a customer’s hair caught on fire while he was sleeping after a melted AmazonBasics cord lit a chair on fire, which quickly spread around the victim’s bedroom. In another case, a USB car charger started an electrical fire on the freeway, burning the driver. In yet another case, a car charger burst into flames in a parked car with a toddler inside. These cases show how defective products can result in serious injuries and damage.
History of Amazon Products Causing Fires
The AmazonBasics line is not the first time Amazon has come under scrutiny for defective products. In 2016, after a hoverboard sold by the company caught on fire, a blaze quickly enveloped the customer’s home, forcing two children to jump out of windows to escape the fire.
In another serious case, a woman underwent treatment for third-degree burns on her arms, legs, and feet after a replacement laptop battery she purchased on Amazon caught on fire. As a result of the defective product, the victim had to have a skin graft to repair the damage.
Depending on where you live, the law for holding Amazon responsible for products sold by third parties may differ. Contact an experienced product liability attorney to determine if Amazon may be responsible for defective products that were sold on their website.
Burn Injuries Caused by AmazonBasics Products
As a result of overheating, sparking, and combustion, AmazonBasics products may burn your skin. Injuries from defective products can include thermal burns, which are caused by contact with flames, hot liquids, hot surfaces, and other sources of high heat. Depending on the seriousness of a burn injury, you may need immediate medical attention. Even if your burn injury appears to be minor, you should continue to monitor it for signs of infection and document your injuries with photographs.
AmazonBasics product injuries may also include chemical burns, which occur when your skin or eyes come into contact with an irritant, such as an acid or a base. In one case, a customer suffered from first-degree burns and chemical burns after a laptop battery exploded. Chemical burns should be monitored closely, as symptoms may not be evident immediately.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT INJURY?
After a defective product injury, you may feel uncertain about what to do next. The below steps outline what you should in the days and weeks following your defective product injury.
Seek Medical Attention
The most important thing to do after sustaining an injury is to promptly seek medical attention, particularly if the injury is serious. Examples of injuries from AmazonBasic products that may require a visit to the hospital can include:
- Thermal burns
- Chemical burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Smoke inhalation
- Electrical shock
- Vision loss and eye injuries
Even if the injury does not seem serious at first, it may still be a good idea to seek medical attention. Many times, an injury may manifest or appear as a minor injury. However, if the injury is not properly treated by a medical professional within a reasonable time, the injury can worsen.
Document the Accident
One of the most important steps is to document the accident. This means keeping and maintaining an organized file that contains important pieces of information relating to the accident and injury. For instance, you should consider keeping a folder containing documents such as:
- Photos of your injuries
- Photos of the defective product
- Photos of any damage to your property, such as burn marks or charred material
- Purchase receipts, which Amazon automatically saves for you
- Copies of the accident report or formal complaint
- Copies of witness statements, if any
- Medical bills
Keeping track of this information is critical because it may be helpful when it comes time to establish the extent of your injuries. Documenting the accident and injuries may also make it easier to remember important dates, such as when the accident occurred or when the product was purchased.
File a Complaint
After your injury, it is important to alert Amazon and inform them that an Amazon product injured you. This link will provide you with a form to fill out that is specific to your state. This will also help document your attempts to notify Amazon that they are selling a potentially defective product.
Leave a Review on Amazon
When possible, leave a review on the product’s Amazon page. This will alert other customers to the potentially dangerous product so they can avoid injury. It will also allow you to keep track of whether Amazon has removed the product or refuses to do so.
Contact a Lawyer
Going after one of the world’s biggest online retailers may seem intimidating. The laws surrounding when to file and what elements must be proven to hold a producer or distributor responsible for your injuries are complicated. A product liability lawyer may be able to help you navigate the process of filing an official lawsuit and negotiating a settlement.
Learn More: Why Hiring a Lawyer Will Help Your Case
TALK WITH A PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWYER TODAY
At Zinda Law Group, our nationwide personal injury attorneys have helped victims get the compensation they deserved after suffering an injury. We have experience holding manufacturers and distributors accountable for dangerous and defective products. We fight for our clients’ right to compensation for hospital bills, property damage, and much more.
We believe a victim injured by a defective product should never have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer 100% free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
If you believe you were injured by an AmazonBasics defective product, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free consultation with one of our experienced defective product injury attorneys.
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