Who is Responsible When Products Explode?

Key Takeaways

• Defective products spark explosions when flaws in design, manufacturing, or labeling make everyday items like appliances, electronics, or vehicles unreasonably unsafe.
• Victims often suffer catastrophic harm, including burns, amputations, brain injuries, property loss, or even death, leaving families with lasting financial and emotional burdens.
• Manufacturers, suppliers, or retailers can be held liable, and victims may seek compensation through product liability claims covering medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Every day, people across the United States rely on thousands of products to help them live, work, and play safely. From appliances in the kitchen to tools on construction sites, we assume the items we purchase and use are reasonably safe. 

But when a defective product unexpectedly explodes, it can cause devastating injuries, property damage, or even death.

Unfortunately, product explosions are not rare. Lithium-ion batteries in smartphones and e-cigarettes have been known to overheat and ignite. Gas-powered appliances can leak and detonate unexpectedly. Heavy machinery may malfunction, turning workplaces into disaster zones.

When this happens, one critical question arises: Who is responsible when products explode?

If you were injured by an exploding defective product, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about who is responsible, how an attorney can help, and your legal options to move forward.

Understanding What Makes a Product Defective

Not every product-related injury means a product is legally “defective.” Some items, like chainsaws, nail guns, or fireworks, are inherently dangerous. However, a product is considered defective when it is unreasonably unsafe for its intended or foreseeable use.

The law generally recognizes three main categories of product defects:

1. Design Defects

A design defect means the product was dangerous from the start. Even when manufactured correctly, the flaw in its design makes it unreasonably hazardous.

Examples include:

• Power tools without safety guards that expose users to blades or moving parts.
• Car tires prone to blowouts because of inadequate tread design.
• Medications with undisclosed or excessive risks compared to their benefits.
  
   

2. Manufacturing Defects

Sometimes, a product is well-designed, but mistakes can occur during assembly or production. These errors make certain units unsafe.

Examples include:

• Contaminated food and beverages due to improper sanitation.
• Airbags or brakes installed incorrectly in vehicles.
• Gas appliances with faulty valves or seals that can leak.
  
   

3. Labeling & Marketing Defects

Also called “failure to warn,” this type involves inadequate instructions, safety labels, or warnings. It can also include promoting a product for unsafe “off-label” uses.

Examples include:

• Household chemicals without burn or inhalation warnings.
• Children’s toys without choking hazard labels.
• Prescription drugs marketed for unapproved, unsafe uses.

If a product explosion results from any of these categories, victims may have grounds to pursue a product liability claim.

Defective Products Most Likely to Cause Explosions

Some defective products present higher risks of fire and explosion than others. Below are the categories most commonly associated with catastrophic incidents:

Electronics & Lithium-Ion Batteries

• Smartphones, laptops, tablets, and chargers.
• E-cigarettes and vape pens that overheat in pockets or explode while charging.
• Power banks and electric scooters with poor battery management systems.
  
   

Household Appliances & Systems

• Gas stoves, ovens, and ranges.
• Water heaters and furnaces prone to leaking fuel or malfunctioning.
• Washing machines and dryers that spark fires due to faulty wiring.
  
   

Vehicles & Transportation Equipment

• Gasoline tanks or fuel lines that rupture.
• Defective airbags, brakes, or electrical systems.
• Electric cars with battery packs vulnerable to thermal runaway.
  
   

Industrial Tools & Machinery

• Heavy construction equipment with faulty hydraulics or wiring.
• Welders or cutting torches with poor safety regulators.
• Compressed gas cylinders that rupture under pressure.
  
   

Hazardous Chemicals

• Cleaning supplies packaged without proper warnings.
• Flammable industrial solvents.
• Fertilizers that can combust under certain conditions.
   

When these products explode, the damage can extend beyond the immediate user, injuring bystanders, destroying property, and sometimes impacting entire communities.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Exploding Products?

Determining who is responsible when a product explodes depends on the product’s life cycle. Liability may extend to:

Manufacturers

Manufacturers are the primary producers of any given product or its components and can be held responsible for design flaws, defective parts, or unsafe assembly.

 

Distributors & Retailers

Companies that sell products to consumers may be liable if they knowingly sell unsafe products or fail to remove recalled items.

 

Suppliers

Businesses that provide raw materials or parts may be at fault if a defective component, such as a battery, causes an explosion.

 

Third-Party Contractors

Installation or maintenance companies, among other third-party contractors, may be liable for a defective product explosion. For instance, an HVAC contractor could improperly install a gas line, leading to a home explosion.

In legal terms, these claims may be based on:

• Strict Liability – Holding a company accountable simply because they sold a defective product, regardless of intent.
• Negligence – Proving that a company failed to exercise reasonable care in designing, manufacturing, or warning consumers.
• Breach of Warranty – Demonstrating that the product did not live up to express or implied guarantees of safety or reliability.
  
   

Examples of Exploding Products

Over the past decade, numerous recalls and lawsuits have highlighted the dangers of defective products:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Recall (2016): The smartphone’s lithium-ion batteries overheated and exploded, forcing a worldwide recall.
• Takata Airbag Explosions: Faulty inflators exploded with deadly force, leading to one of the largest automotive recalls in history.
• Hoverboard Fires (2015–2017): Poorly manufactured batteries caused dozens of hoverboards to ignite or explode.
• Gas Appliance Recalls: Defective stoves and water heaters have been linked to residential fires and explosions.

These cases underscore how widespread and devastating product explosions can be and why holding companies accountable matters.

Injuries Caused by Exploding Products

Explosions are uniquely destructive, often causing:

• Burns (first, second, or third degree).
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from blast force.
• Hearing loss or eye damage.
• Amputations or shrapnel injuries.
• Smoke inhalation and lung damage.
• Fatalities.

Beyond the physical toll, survivors often face emotional trauma, disfigurement, and long-term financial strain.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

Explosions caused by defective products often leave victims with overwhelming expenses and losses. With legal representation, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, and ongoing treatment.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or prosthetics.
• Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and diminished earning capacity.
• Property Damage: Repair or replacement of damaged homes, vehicles, or belongings.
• Pain & Suffering: Physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Loss of Consortium: Impact on relationships and family life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses and loss of financial support for surviving families.

The exact value of a claim depends on the severity of injuries, the costs of recovery, and the degree of negligence involved.

Steps to Take After a Product Explosion

If you or a loved one is injured by an exploding product, the steps you take afterward are crucial to your safety and your potential case:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Health and safety come first. Document all injuries.
2. Preserve the Evidence – Keep the defective product, packaging, receipts, and any related parts.
3. Photograph the Scene – Take pictures of injuries, property damage, and the explosion site.
4. Report the Incident – Notify the manufacturer, retailer, or appropriate safety agency (like the CPSC).
5. Avoid Making Statements – Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal counsel.
6. Contact Morgan & Morgan – A lawyer can investigate, identify liable parties, and build a strong case for compensation.
   
    

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

For over 35 years, Morgan & Morgan has fought for victims of defective and dangerous products. With a nationwide team of attorneys and the resources to take on big corporations, we have recovered billions for clients.

When you choose us, we will investigate your case thoroughly by reviewing medical records, expert testimony, and product safety reports. Our attorneys can help identify all liable parties, including manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, as well as negotiate aggressively with insurers and corporations.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and nothing out of pocket. Our Fee Is Free®, and we only get paid if we win your case.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a product explosion, contact Morgan & Morgan today to see if you may be entitled to compensation. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.