Products Liability Law Reporter

From 2018 to 2020, Fitbit LLC allegedly received reports that its Ionic smartwatches overheated while being worn. Some consumers suffered second- and third-degree burns to their arms and wrists. Although Fitbit initiated a firmware update, the company continued to receive reports of consumer burn injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fitbit announced a recall of Ionic smartwatches in March 2022. According to the recall, there had been approximately 115 reports of overheating smartwatch batteries in the United States.

The CPSC charged that Fitbit knowingly failed to immediately report to the commission, as required by law, that its Ionic smartwatches contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard and pose an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.

Fitbit agreed to pay a $12.25 million civil penalty and maintain internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act. The CPSC provisionally accepted the settlement agreement, subject to public comment.

Citation: U.S. Consumer Prod. Safety Comm’n, Release No. 25-100, Jan. 23, 2025.

Government counsel: Mark S. Raffman, Washington, D.C.