myCharge Recalls POWER HUB All-In-One Portable Chargers Over Fire Risk

Product Recalls - July 16, 2024

myCharge Has Issued Recall for POWER HUB All-In-One 10,000mAh Portable Charger Due To Fire and Burn Hazards

myCharge Recalls POWER HUB All-In-One Portable Chargers Over Fire Risk

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 16, 2024) – The company myCharge has issued a recall for its POWER HUB All-In-One portable chargers due to a fire and burn risk.

The recall was issued on June 20, 2024. Around 567,000 of the portable chargers were sold. Affected model numbers include AO10FK-A, AO10FK-B, and AO10FK-C.

The major issue with the portable chargers is that they can overheat while charging, thereby posing a fire risk. There have been around 120 reports of the portable chargers malfunctioning and overheating.

myCharge has also received two reports of residential fires. No injuries have been reported thus far.

The portable charges were sold exclusively at Costco from January 2022 to November 2023.

Liability For Fires Involving Portable Chargers

Fires involving lithium-ion batteries remain alarmingly common. According to USA Fire Protection, “at least 25,000 fire or overheating incidents in lithium-ion batteries occurred in a five-year period. Furthermore, heat, smoke, toxic gases, and the potential for explosions are all dangers associated with lithium-ion battery fires.” There are a number of common problems with lithium-ion batteries that could lead to a fire.

  • Thermal Runway: When the cells in a lithium-ion battery overheat, this can lead to a self-sustaining chain reaction that leads to a fire.
  • Overcharging: When a lithium-ion battery allows cells to charge beyond the maximum voltage limit, this can cause heat to build up and may lead to a thermal runway.
  • Poor Ventilation: Batteries generate heat while in use. If a battery is not properly ventilated, this can lead to overheating and a fire.

Companies that manufacture portable chargers have a legal obligation to make sure that they are reasonably safe. Overheating and fires are known risks for these devices. In order to mitigate the risks of fire, companies must ensure that they are compliant with all safety regulations by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other agencies. A company could be liable for a fire and resulting injuries if their product was defective. It is important that certain steps be taken after any fire caused by a portable charger.

  • A police report of the incident should be created.
  • A thorough investigation should be conducted.
  • Medical records related to any injury should be collected.
  • An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

Most fires related to portable chargers and other devices with lithium-ion batteries are completely preventable. These incidents tend to involve companies that were cutting corners in some way or another. They might use cheaper materials to make their products. Or they may forgo additional safety testing. Any person injured in a fire involving a portable charger may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A product liability attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Getting Legal Help For Fires Involving Portable Chargers

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been affected by the myCharge portable chargers. There needs to be a thorough investigation into all of the instances of overheating. It is deeply concerning that so many people were able to buy these chargers before they were finally recalled.

Have you or someone that you care about been impacted by a fire caused by a portable charger? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims get justice and holding consumer goods companies accountable for their negligence. 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 (312) 564-4256.