Overview: Exploding Light-Up Skechers

According to a recent Skechers class action lawsuit filed in a New York federal court, the Ni-Cad battery used in certain types of Skechers shoes that allows the sole to light up is apt to explode and can cause severe chemical burns on the wearer—usually children and even toddlers.

Ni-Cad batteries are rechargeable batteries that are often found in small battery-operated devices. They are smaller and lighter than lead-acid batteries, but are also extremely toxic, according to consumer complaints.

The Ni-Cad battery is located in the heel or mid-sole of the light-up Skechers lines. They are reportedly completed encased within the shoe. However, the airtight seal does not allow the battery to vent, allowing gas to build and potentially causing the battery to explode.

This explosion, according to consumer complaints, not only can damage the shoe, it can also lead to severe chemical burns. It can also cause heat and even fire, in some cases.

The problem can reportedly be exacerbated if the shoes are put in the washing machine or otherwise exposed to water, such as jumping in puddles. The Ni-Cad battery can be subject to rust in these cases.

In the cases where the Ni-Cad battery has rusted, the mechanism to vent gas from the battery may malfunction and cause it, and the surrounding sole, to explode.

Consumers report that if the Ni-Cad battery, wet or dry, explodes while worn, the person wearing it can experience serious injuries to their feet and legs. Further, if the wearer’s skin is wet, as children’s skin often is from sweat or playing in water or mud, the injuries can be even more severe.

Skechers has marketed 42 styles of light up shoes since 2015. They reportedly did not market the S-Lights, Shopkins, and Twinkle Toes lines of shoes containing the Ni-Cad batteries as rechargeable, despite containing a rechargeable battery.

Further, despite a number of consumers complaining of exploding light-up Skechers, the company has continued to market them to children and even toddlers.

Exploding Light-Up Skechers Lawsuits

Recently, a woman filed a Skechers class action lawsuit over exploding light-up Skechers in New York federal court. According to the Skechers lawsuit, Skechers was aware of the problems with the Ni-Cad battery—and has been for years—due to consumer complaints.

The exploding light-up Skechers class action lawsuit alleges that the shoes with the Ni-Cad battery are defective and the battery presents a “clear and present” danger to the children wearing the shoes.

Further, despite consumer complaints, the shoe company has reportedly neither fixed the problem with the Ni-Cad battery or attempted to warn the public about the risk of exploding light-up shoes it has sold.

“In fact, on its website, Defendant simply states that ‘machine washing light-up shoes is not advised as it may damage the lights,’” the Skechers lawsuit explains. “The website further suggests that consumers clean the shoe ‘with mild soap, warm water and a soft cloth.’”

Recently, Skechers has reportedly updated its website to include more information about proper battery care of its shoes that contain the Ni-Cad battery. It also allegedly discontinued a line of light up shoes in 2017—the Lights Flashpod Scoria style, although these shoes are still available through third-party retailers.

However, consumers who purchased Skechers light-up shoes for their children or other loved ones since 2015 were never warned about the risks, according to consumer complaints and the Skechers class action lawsuit.

If you purchased light-up Skechers since 2015, your child was injured by the battery, and you still have the shoes, you may be eligible for an exploding light-up Skechers class action lawsuit investigation.

See if you qualify by filling out the free form on this page.