Fitbit sued after smartwatch allegedly explodes, burns customer

Fitbit, the maker of fitness smartwatches, is being sued by a customer who claims her watch exploded while she was wearing it, causing third-degree burns and scarring.

The Washington state customer filed the lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court on Tuesday, claiming that her Fitbit Sense smartwatch overheated on her wrist last year.

Fitbit, now owned by Google, is accused of knowing about similar prior complaints but failing to act.

In March 2022, Fitbit agreed to pay $12.25 million to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission over similar incidents of a different watch model burning people, resulting in a recall of nearly 2 million devices.

Google was contacted for comment Wednesday but did not respond by press time.

James Hayes, of the San Diego based personal injury law firm Hayes Law, wrote in the complaint, "Defendants Fitbit were on notice of the defective nature of this product, and similar products, through prior complaints made to Fitbit concerning similar burn injuries suffered by users of the product... via Fitbit's Community Forum and prior lawsuits involving the product.

The complaint, filed by plaintiff Rachel Withers, accuses Fitbit LLC of negligence, product defects, and failure to warn consumers of potential dangers. Rachel Withers v. Fitbit, LLC, CGC25628916 (S.F Super. Ct. filed Sept. 8, 2025).

Withers claims that in July 2024, while preparing for bed with the watch on, she heard a "pop" and sizzling noise before feeling "immense burning pain" on her left wrist. According to the complaint, smoke and a chemical smell came from the device after she tore it off.

Medical records cited in the lawsuit state she suffered a partial thickness burn that progressed to a third-degree injury. The complaint says she now has a permanent scar.

Withers' counsel argues Fitbit knew or should have known of similar incidents, pointing to prior customer complaints, online forum posts, and lawsuits regarding overheating devices. The lawsuit contends the watch was defectively designed and marketed as safe for continuous wear despite posing what the filing calls "an unreasonably dangerous condition."

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other expenses. She has demanded a jury trial.

james_twomey@dailyjournal.com