Child and Teenager Killed In Queens Fire At Home By 46th Street by 28th Avenue
QUEENS, NEW YORK (April 12, 2023) – A child and teenager tragically died in a Queens home fire sparked by an e-bike near the area of 46th Street by 28th Avenue.
New York City officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:00 p.m. on Monday. An e-bike was charging in the vestibule by the door when it suddenly sparked a fire.
The fire quickly traveled to the upper floors of the home. Three of the children in the home were able to escape by jumping out of the window. A man was also able to escape the home by jumping from a window.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims and put out the fire. Sadly, a child and a teenager both died due to their injuries.
A full investigation into the fire remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Queens Battery Fires
Lithium-ion batteries are used in nearly every type of electronic device. Problems with some of the batteries have led to them overheating, catching fire, and exploding. In 2021, e-bike batteries have caused over 55 fires in New York City alone. There are a number of reasons that a lithium-ion battery may catch fire.
- Battery defects
- Design flaws
- Charger issues
- Manufacturing defects
Companies that design e-bikes have a responsibility to make those products reasonably safe. When a company fails to make their products reasonably safe they could be held accountable through a product liability claim. For example, a company could be held liable for a fire cause by their product when there is a flaw with the way that product is designed. In arguing for the existence of a design defect a plaintiff must show:
- The product was not reasonably safe due to a significant likelihood of harm;
- It was feasible for the product to have been designed in a safer way, and;
- The defect in question was the proximate cause of the injury a victim sustained. (Voss v. Black & Decker Mfg. Co., 59 N.Y.2d 102)
The family of any person that died in a fire caused by a e-bike battery may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, e-bike companies will often fight hard to deny liability for fires caused by their products. A product liability attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Queens Battery Fire
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the child and teenager that died in this fire. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the NYFP. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make e-bikes safer. Far too often, cost cutting measures are making these products more dangerous than they need to be.
Do you need more information about a Queens residential fire? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
