La. Consumer Sues Amazon, Headphone Maker Over Exploding Earbud Case

A Louisiana consumer sued Amazon and Shenzhen Dayantian Technology Wednesday for negligence and breach of warranty over defective Bluetooth earbuds, said a complaint (docket 3:23-cv-00317) in U.S. District Court for Middle Louisiana in Baton Rouge. In November, plaintiff Edna Bowles of Livingston Parish was using Hinycom earbuds manufactured by Shenzhen Dayantian when the buds’ case, which were in her pocket, “exploded in flames,” resulting in third-degree burns to her left hip, thigh and hand, said the complaint. Bowles bought the earbuds from Amazon in May. She alleges the earbud assembly and case were defective as defined by the Louisiana Product Liability Act. The danger or risk of “spontaneous combustion” of the earbuds under any circumstances, including carrying the case in a pocket, was not conveyed to her, said the complaint. The product failed to adequately warn her of the risk, which wasn't readily apparent to a reasonable consumer, she said. In addition to mental and physical pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the burns, Bowles endured “permanent scars and disfigurement and functional impairment of her left hand,” said the complaint. She seeks compensatory damages, redhibition, judicial interest and legal costs.