This is not an exhaustive list of where button batteries can be found. As technology advances and devices get smarter—and smaller—button batteries are becoming more common in homes.
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Our lawyers have seen small children get access to button batteries through the following:
This is not an exhaustive list of where button batteries can be found. As technology advances and devices get smarter—and smaller—button batteries are becoming more common in homes.
A Button Battery Lawsuit is a type of case that exists when a child or other vulnerable person swallows a button battery and becomes sick. As noted above, these cases often involve severe internal injuries that require extensive medical treatment. The battery can get stuck in the esophagus and burn surrounding tissues, or the battery can move into the stomach and destroy the lining of the stomach.
First, button batteries pose a danger to small children because they are similar in size to coins. This is where they get the alternate moniker coin batteries. Parents of young children know to keep coins and other small items out of reach. However, parents may give their child a toy or leave car keys on the coffee table without realizing button batteries are present.
Secondly, batteries can be extremely dangerous devices if improperly used or handled. They store chemical energy which then converts to electrical energy. Batteries are made up of toxic chemicals, including lithium, cadmium, sulfuric acid, and lead. Lastly, button batteries can also become lodged in a child’s nostril or ears.
Additional button battery dangers include the following:
According to texaschildrens.org, every three hours a child visits an emergency room after ingesting a battery. Even when they’re not powering a device, lithium batteries have strong currents and can pose serious danger.
Following ingestion of a button battery, a child might present the following:
Kids put things in their mouths for a variety of reasons. An infant’s mouth has more nerve endings than any other part of the body. The result? When a baby wants to know what something really feels like, they’ll stick it in their mouths. Children carry this need to explore with their mouths well into their second year. Childhood is a time when the world is new and everything deserves exploring. While this natural curiosity is good and should be encouraged, parents always have to be mindful of the dangers that exist within their child’s reach. Threats to your child’s safety can come in many shapes and sizes. As electronics get smaller, the batteries used to power them have also become choking hazards. You might not know it, but something as small as a button battery can actually cause serious injury and even death in small children.
Button batteries, found in many household items, pose a significant risk to children if swallowed. When a child is injured due to a button battery, parents may decide to pursue legal action to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Hiring an attorney to handle a Button Battery Lawsuit can be an essential step in navigating the complex legal process.
The first step in the legal process is an initial consultation with an attorney who specializes in product liability or personal injury cases. During this meeting, the attorney will gather information about the incident, the injuries sustained, and the circumstances surrounding the button battery ingestion. They will assess the merits of the case and advise whether pursuing a lawsuit is the best course of action. Parents can expect the attorney to ask detailed questions about the timeline of events, medical treatments, and any potential negligence on the part of manufacturers or caretakers.
Once the attorney agrees to take the case, they will begin the process of filing a lawsuit. This includes drafting a complaint that outlines the facts of the case, the legal reasons the manufacturer or another party is liable, and the damages being sought. After filing, the attorney will enter the discovery phase, where they gather evidence to support the claim. This can involve obtaining medical records, expert testimonies, product safety reports, and any previous complaints about the button battery product. The attorney may also work with medical experts to establish a clear link between the button battery and the child’s injuries.
After building a strong case, the attorney will typically engage in negotiations with the opposing party, which could be the manufacturer or their insurance company. The goal is to reach a settlement that adequately compensates for the injuries and damages. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to trial. During a trial, both parties present their arguments and evidence before a judge or jury, who then decides the outcome. Parents should be prepared for a potentially lengthy process and understand that their attorney will guide them through each step, advocating for their best interests and aiming for the most favorable outcome possible.
By understanding these steps, parents can feel more prepared and supported when navigating the complexities of a Button Battery Lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney.
Compensation in a button battery lawsuit can cover a variety of damages, including:
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the defendant for particularly reckless or negligent behavior.
A Button Battery Lawsuit is a legal action taken against a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of button batteries or products containing them. These lawsuits typically arise when a child is injured after swallowing a button battery, which can cause severe internal burns and other injuries. The lawsuit seeks to hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm caused and to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
It’s understandable to wonder about the responsibility of parents in preventing accidents involving button batteries. While parental supervision is indeed crucial, there are several reasons why companies can also be held accountable when a child is injured by swallowing a button battery:
Holding a company accountable through a lawsuit is not just about assigning blame but also about seeking justice and compensation for the child’s injuries and encouraging safer product practices in the future.
Not necessarily. Many Button Battery Lawsuits are resolved through settlements before reaching court. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to trial. Your attorney will advise you on the best course of action based on the specifics of your case.
By design, these batteries are extremely slim and where the current flows in and out are extremely close. As a result, a high current passes quickly through the body’s salty tissue. It is the electrical current that generates heat that can cause serious burns within two hours of swallowing.
A child can swallow a button battery without choking or coughing. This means there may not be signs that your child ingested a battery until it causes more severe symptoms.
A child who swallows a battery might be unlikely to tell anyone. For example, young children may not remember doing it, or they may be nonverbal. Older kids, on the other hand, are often reluctant to say anything for fear of getting in trouble.
No matter where in the body the battery is, it can cause significant tissue damage that can lead to death. Researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, however, have found that giving honey can reduce injuries caused by a button battery at regular intervals until the child can be seen by a doctor. They warn that honey is not a substitute for medical attention.
If your child or someone close to you swallows a button battery, the following steps might save their life:
While honey can help children over 12 months, researchers warned against using it if the esophagus is perforated. Further, children under one year should never be given honey because of the risk of infant botulism.
It’s important to note that any kind of battery can be swallowed. However, the small size of button batteries makes them far easier to swallow without a parent noticing. To avoid battery poisoning consider the following tips:
We have successfully represented victims of button battery incidents. When filing a personal injury claim in Texas, one of the first and most important actions to take after an injury occurs is to enlist a knowledgeable lawyer who can help you file a claim.
At The Carlson Law Firm, we can provide a level of representation that has been given recognition with awards and accolades that can be used to your advantage. With the number of attorneys at our firm, we have the ability to provide the comprehensive representation you need for your case. For The Carlson Law Firm, each client is unique and each case should be handled uniquely. For personalized service with quality you can trust, contact our firm today!
With over a dozen locations throughout Texas, there’s a Carlson Law Firm near you. We have law offices located in Killeen, Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, Bryan, Lubbock, Midland, and Corpus Christi.
100 E. Central Texas Expy
Killeen, TX 76541
(254) 526-5688
11606 N. I-35
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 346-5688
135 W. Slaughter Ln, Ste A
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 804-7277
6243 I-10 #550
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 696-8600
618 SW Military Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78221
(210) 923-7700
1109 W. Baker Road, Ste A
Baytown, TX 77521
(832) 806-6155
1121 Briarcrest Drive, Ste 200
Bryan, TX 77802
(979) 260-5688
653 Everhart Rd, Ste 105
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
(361) 336-3317
301 Junction Highway, Ste 100
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-7575
5112 McPherson, Ste 106
Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 712-2588
10101 Quaker Ave
Lubbock, TX 79424
(806) 401-0500
900 Lp 250 Frontage Rd b
Midland, TX 79705
(432) 247-6611
1717 N. I-35 Ste 305
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 671-7277
4282 S Jackson St.
San angelo, TX 76903
(325) 238-4322
2010 SW H K Dodgen Loop, Ste 201
Temple TX 76504
(254) 771-5688
2420 I-35 South
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 772-5653
2909 Garnett Ave
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 285-6333
1500 Rosecrans Ave Ste 500
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(254) 516-3570
33rd Ave N Ste 220
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 373-4655
100 E. Central Texas Expy
Killeen, TX 76541
(254) 526-5688
11606 N. I-35
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 346-5688
135 W. Slaughter Ln, Ste A
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 804-7277
6243 I-10 #550
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 696-8600
618 SW Military Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78221
(210) 923-7700
1109 W. Baker Road, Ste A
Baytown, TX 77521
(832) 806-6155
1121 Briarcrest Drive, Ste 200
Bryan, TX 77802
(979) 260-5688
653 Everhart Rd, Ste 105
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
(361) 336-3317
301 Junction Highway, Ste 100
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-7575
5112 McPherson, Ste 106
Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 712-2588
10101 Quaker Ave
Lubbock, TX 79424
(806) 401-0500
900 Lp 250 Frontage Rd b
Midland, TX 79705
(432) 247-6611
559 S I-35 Frontage Rd Ste 250,
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 671-7277
4282 S Jackson St.
San angelo, TX 76903
(325) 238-4322
2010 SW H K Dodgen Loop, Ste 201
Temple TX 76504
(254) 771-5688
2420 I-35 South
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 772-5653
2909 Garnett Ave
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 285-6333
1500 Rosecrans Ave Ste 500
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(254) 516-3570
333 33rd Ave N Ste 220
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 373-4655
