Legal Help for Victims of Exploding or Overheating Foot Warmers

Battery-powered heated insoles have become popular among hunters, hikers, outdoor workers, and anyone trying to stay warm during winter. Marketed as safe and convenient, these devices promise to deliver hours of heat with the push of a button. But beneath the surface, many heated insoles contain lithium-ion batteries, the same volatile battery technology responsible for countless fires, explosions, and burn injuries in recent years.

A recent incident involving a hunter who suffered severe burns after a heated insole exploded has drawn national attention and prompted warnings from surgeons about the rising dangers of lithium-ion powered wearable devices. If a heated insole overheated, sparked, smoked, exploded, or burned your skin, you may have a right to file a product liability lawsuit and seek financial compensation for your injuries.

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin is reviewing heated insole burn injury cases nationwide and can help you understand your legal options.

Heated Insoles: A Growing Lithium-Ion Battery Hazard

Heated foot warmers are sold by multiple brands and retailers, including outdoor retailers, sporting goods stores, and online marketplaces like Amazon. Many include a small rechargeable lithium-ion battery embedded within the insole or connected externally through wires.

These batteries can be extremely sensitive to:

• Temperature changes
• Moisture
• Physical pressure
• Manufacturing defects
• Improper insulation

When a lithium-ion battery fails, it can enter a dangerous state known as thermal runaway, causing temperatures to spike instantly, sometimes reaching 800–1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

That is what appears to have happened in the widely shared news report where a hunter’s heated insole exploded inside his boot, causing severe burns that required surgical intervention.

How Heated Insoles Can Explode or Overheat

Heated insoles contain multiple components that may fail, including:

• Lithium-ion battery cells
• Heating coils embedded in the sole
• Wiring and connection points
• Heat regulators and safety shutoff mechanisms
• Insulation materials

Common causes of dangerous failures include:

• Internal short circuits
• Battery puncture or compression (from walking or stepping)
• Defective wiring or loose solder points
• Moisture intrusion causing electrical shorts
• Overcharging or faulty charging adapters
• Cheap or counterfeit lithium-ion cells used in manufacturing

When insoles are inside boots, these risks are amplified because:

• Heat cannot dissipate properly
• Moisture from sweat creates conductive conditions
• Pressure from walking compresses the battery constantly
• The user cannot visually monitor the device

These conditions create a dangerous environment for battery malfunction.

Types of Injuries Linked to Heated Insole Failures

Victims of heated insole explosions often experience severe injuries because the device is pressed tightly against the foot and ankle. Common injuries include:

Burn Injuries

• First-, second-, and third-degree burns
• Deep tissue burns requiring surgical intervention
• Burns that may lead to long-term nerve damage

Thermal Explosion Injuries

• Blistering and skin separation
• Embedded debris or fragments
• Scarring or permanent disfigurement

Infection Risks

Feet are highly susceptible to infection, especially after burn damage.

Mobility Limitations

Serious foot burns may:

• Limit walking ability
• Require crutches or immobilization
• Result in long-term disability

Emotional Trauma

Many victims report anxiety around:

• Wearing heated devices
• Cold-weather activities
• Lithium-ion powered products

These injuries can have lifelong consequences.

Do I Have a Heated Insole Burn Injury Lawsuit?

You may have a valid claim if:

• A heated insole overheated, burned you, smoked, or exploded
• You required medical care for your injuries
• You purchased or were gifted battery-powered heated insoles
• You still have the product, packaging, pieces, or photos of the device

Even if the brand of your heated insoles is not widely known or was purchased online, you may still pursue compensation.

Who May Be Legally Responsible?

Product liability law may allow victims to pursue claims against multiple parties, including:

1. The Manufacturer

If the battery, wiring, or heating element is defective.

2. Retailers

Including Amazon, online sellers, and sporting goods stores.

3. Distributors and Importers

Many heated insoles are manufactured overseas and sold by U.S. distributors without adequate safety testing.

4. Component Suppliers

Lithium-ion batteries, heating coils, and circuit boards may be supplied by third parties.

5. Amazon or Other Marketplaces

Courts increasingly hold marketplaces liable when defective products sold on their platforms cause injuries.

Your attorney can investigate every entity involved in designing, manufacturing, and selling the insoles.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

Compensation in heated insole burn cases may include:

Medical Expenses

• ER visits
• Burn treatment
• Skin grafts
• Wound care
• Rehabilitation
• Follow-up visits

Lost Income

If injuries prevented walking or required time off work.

Pain and Suffering

Including ongoing pain, trauma, and emotional distress.

Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement

Foot burns often leave significant long-term marks.

Future Medical Costs

Many burn victims require long-term care.

Property Damage

If the explosion damaged boots, socks, or other personal items.

Punitive Damages

If the manufacturer acted recklessly, used counterfeit parts, or ignored known hazards.

What To Do if Your Heated Insole Burned or Exploded

1. Seek immediate medical attention

Foot burns worsen quickly due to moisture and pressure inside shoes.

2. Preserve the heated insole

Do not throw it away or return it. Store it in a safe, dry location.

3. Photograph everything

Including:

• Injuries
• The exploded or burned insole
• Footwear
• Debris
• The area where the incident occurred

4. Save receipts or order confirmations

Amazon and retailer receipts are extremely helpful.

5. Document the incident

Note:

• The brand
• How long you were using it
• The settings used
• Whether you noticed heat or burning smells

6. Contact a product liability lawyer

Manufacturers may request the product back so do not send anything before speaking with an attorney.

Example: Heated Insole Explosion Case

In the widely reported case, a hunter experienced a catastrophic explosion when the lithium-ion battery in his heated insole suddenly ignited. He suffered deep burns requiring surgical intervention. Doctors may be seeing more lithium-ion related injuries, especially from small wearable devices that do not have proper safety shielding.

Similar failures can happen in:

• Heated socks
• Heated gloves
• Heated jackets
• Boot warmers
• Portable battery-powered hand warmers

These devices often share the same battery vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heated Insole Injury Claims

1. What if I don’t know the brand of my heated insoles?

A lawyer can help identify it based on photos or surviving components.

2. Can I still file a claim if I bought them on Amazon?

Yes as Amazon may share liability.

3. What if the insole was a gift?

You may still file a claim.

4. Do I need the product?

It helps significantly. If it was thrown away, photos or medical documentation may still support your claim.

5. How long do I have to file?

Deadlines vary by state. It’s best to contact a lawyer quickly.

6. What if the injury happened while hunting or working?

You still may have a product liability claim.

7. Are these cases part of a class action?

Most claims are handled individually, but a mass tort may develop.

8. Do you charge fees upfront?

No as the Law Offices of Jason Turchin works on contingency, meaning no fees or costs unless we recover money for you.

Contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin – Heated Insole Burn Injury Lawyers

If a heated insole overheated, exploded, or burned you, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Lithium-ion injuries are often preventable, and manufacturers should be held accountable when unsafe products enter the market.

Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 or visit VictimAid.com for a free consultation. There are no fees or costs unless we win your case.