WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BRAIN) — A Florida man is suing Amazon and a Chinese direct-to-consumer "e-bike" brand sold on its website for injuries and damages after the battery exploded and caused a residential fire two years ago.
According to the lawsuit, Saul Santiago Hernandez purchased a Bigniu BG10, manufactured by Bigniu Technology Inc., in May 2024. While the lawsuit claims it's an e-bike, Amazon's listing of the bike in question — the "BG-X Electric Bike for Adults" — has a 1,500-watt motor capable of speeds exceeding 34 mph. E-bikes are classified as having a maximum of 750 watts and capable of speeds no greater than 28 mph assisted.
Two months after purchasing the bike, Hernandez was charging the battery at his Boca Raton home when it "suddenly exploded and caught the plaintiff's room and body on fire, causing the plaintiff to sustain serious, permanent burns, injuries, and damage."
The lawsuit alleges the e-bike's design and manufacturing were defective, and that Amazon is responsible for importing and selling the e-bike. Hernandez asks for a jury trial and judgement in excess of $50,000, plus costs and for any other relief the court deems fair.
Hernandez filed the lawsuit May 1 before it was transferred Monday from the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County to the U.S. Southern District Court West Palm Beach Division.
