Heated socks and insoles with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have been linked to severe burn injuries when the battery exploded, caught on fire, or overheated and got too hot.
Need a Texas Heated Sock Burn Injury Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you had a severe burn injury from a heated sock or insole when the lithium-ion battery exploded, caught on fire, or overheated, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What Are Heated Socks?
Rechargeable heated socks and insoles are growing in popularity for people who live, work, and enjoy the outdoors in cold climates. These socks are also known as “e-socks” or battery-powered electric socks.
Heated socks and insoles are designed to provide warmth to your feet for several hours, with an ultra-thin rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can be used again and again.
Heated socks come in different styles. There are thick wool socks for people who spend a lot of time in freezing temperatures, like hunters, fishermen, and ski trips. There are also thin cotton heated socks for use around the house, to soothe muscles, improve circulation, or prevent numb toes.
How Do Heated Socks Get Warm?
Unlike traditional socks, the fabric in a heated sock is knitted with “heating elements,” which are special wires that generate heat when electricity flows through them. They are connected to a battery pack.
The electricity for heated socks and insoles comes from a small battery pack that contains a lithium-ion battery. This type of battery is ultra-thin and lightweight, so it can be worn comfortably on the cuff of a sock, or embedded within the cushioning material of an insole.
The battery is also very powerful, and fully recharges within hours, making it ideal for small electronic devices like e-socks and insoles.
What is the Problem?
Heated clothes with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly popular in recent years. Look online, and you will find a variety of products — socks, insoles, pants, coats, shirts, gloves, and more.
These products may look appealing for people who live in cold climates, but they are increasingly linked to horrific burn injuries when the lithium-ion batteries exploded or caught on fire without warning.
Minnesota Man Burned When Insoles Explode in Boot
In December 2024, a hunter and fisherman from Minnesota posted graphic photos of 3rd-degree burn injuries to his foot when the battery for a rechargeable heated insole exploded inside his boot.
The man, Tyler M., bought the insoles from iHEAT — a seller on Amazon.com who is no longer selling the heated insoles in question.
He said he bought the iHEAT Heated Insoles in 2023, and put them in his boots again for the 2024 deer hunting season. They did not work very well, but he left them in his boots for comfort. A few weeks later, on Thursday December 12, the battery in his rechargeable insoles exploded.
“It just felt like a knife stabbed me in the heel.” It took only a few seconds for the battery to overheat uncontrollably and explode. Miraculously, he was able to shake off his boot in 5 seconds.
He was not wearing any plastic synthetic fabrics that would have melted onto his skin. Even so, he suffered extremely serious 2nd- and 3rd-degree burn injuries. He still suffers from a lack of sensation in his leg, scarring and disfigurement. Doctors said he may need skin grafts.
Heated Socks Linked to Full-Thickness Burn Injury
Rechargeable heated socks and insole do not have to explode to cause severe burns. In October 2024, doctors published a case report of a 43-year-old man who was burned wearing heated e-socks for 4 hours while skiing.
Doctors said he “denied feeling any burning sensation,” but when he took off his heated socks, he noticed a full-thickness 3rd-degree burn injury where the battery was positioned. The burn healed after several months.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Are Extremely Dangerous
Heated socks and insoles are a relatively new product for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These products are convenient for people in cold climates, but battery fires involving clothing present a uniquely serious safety hazard due to close contact with bare skin.
What Happens When The Battery Explodes?
When the lithium-ion battery overheats, it is called a “thermal runaway.” The highly-flammable chemicals inside the battery create a reaction that generates heat inside the battery. The battery temperature rises rapidly and uncontrollably until it explodes — and unlike a typical fire, lithium-ion battery fires burn at temperatures over 1000ºC within a matter of seconds, which can instantly cause severe 3rd-degree burn injuries to anyone unlucky enough to be nearby.
Battery Explosions In Close-Contact With Bare Skin
This problem is particularly hazardous when lithium-ion batteries explode in close contact with bare skin — especially in clothing like a heated sock or insole. As the battery overheats, there may not be enough time to take off clothing or untie shoes to remove the battery.
Melted Plastic Clothing Poses Severe Burn Hazard
Plastic is another serious safety hazard. Lithium-ion battery fires are hot enough to melt plastic shoes and synthetic fabrics. This molten plastic can stick to the skin and cause severe 3rd-degree burn injuries. There is a much lower risk of this from natural fabrics like cotton or wool.
Tech Gear 5.7 Heated Socks Recalled for Fire & Burn Hazards
In March 2019, about 4,000 rechargeable heated socks were recalled by Tech Gear 5.7 because the lithium-ion battery can overheat, melt, or ignite and catch on fire when it is charged with a charger that is not provided with the product. No injuries were reported, but the problem poses a burn injury hazard.
Need a Heated Sock Burn Injury Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years of experience, participation in over 600 jury trials, and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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