Worker Injured in Suspected Battery Explosion in Bourne While Working at Mass Maritime Academy
BOURNE, MASSACHUSETTS (June 16, 2026) – A worker sustained burn injuries in a battery explosion at the Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne.
Barnstable County officials are saying that the accident occurred around noon on Tuesday. For undetermined reasons, a battery exploded at the business.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the injured victim. He was transported to Toby Hospital to receive treatment for burn injuries.
It remains unclear whether a lithium-ion battery was involved. According to their website, the Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne prepares students for various types of careers in the maritime industry.
A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
The incident at Massachusetts Maritime Academy highlights the sudden dangers employees face daily. DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers is reporting on this accident to ensure workers know their rights: if you are injured on the job, you are legally entitled to workers’ compensation to cover medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. Furthermore, if a catastrophic accident involves equipment failure, you may have grounds to pursue an additional third-party personal injury claim to fully secure your recovery.
Who Is Liable for a Workplace Accident in Massachusetts?
Business owners in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to protect their workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This necessitates that they develop safety plans and adhere to safety regulations. According to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” There are several measures that employers should take to prevent their employees from being harmed by battery explosions.
- Approved Batteries: Employers should only use manufacturer-approved batteries for all of the devices and machinery that they’re using.
- Inspections: Employers should ensure that all of the equipment that contains batteries is routinely inspected and maintained.
- Temperatures: Employers should ensure that batteries are kept away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures that could cause them to malfunction.
- Removal: Employers should remove any batteries that show signs of degradation or heat distortion.
Workers will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system in Massachusetts if they are injured on the job. The system does not take into consideration who could have been liable for any specific accident. What matters is that the accident took place as a worker was in the midst of performing their job duties. An injured worker may also have recourse through a third-party liability claim. For example, the company that manufactured any battery could be liable for injuries if the accident was caused by some type of defect with the battery.
Product Defects That May Contribute to Battery Explosions
Battery explosions remain extremely common and are responsible for many serious injuries each year. According to Standards & Engagement, “Between 2019 and 2023, the city saw 465 incidents, resulting in fatalities, serious injuries, and significant property damage. Oxford Economics estimates the economic toll of these fires to be as high as $518.6 million.” There may be several types of defects with any battery that may contribute to an explosion.
- Short Circuit: A battery explosion could be caused by an internal short circuit. That is the result of misaligned components.
- Contamination: A battery may be contaminated due to errors in the manufacturing process.
- Structural Damage: Batteries may have punctures or other structural damage that allows moisture to intrude.
- Thermal Regulation: Batteries may have inadequate cooling systems that failed to properly dissipate heat. This could lead to thermal runaway and a battery explosion.
Battery explosions are typically complex events. Many different factors could contribute to an explosion. The victims of battery explosions routinely suffer very serious injuries. In particular, burn injuries can require extensive and painful skin grafts to treat. Unfortunately, battery manufacturers will almost never accept responsibility if their product injures someone. Any person injured by a defective battery may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Injured at Work in Massachusetts? How DiBella Law Can Help
DiBella Law was very concerned to learn about this incident at Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne. It is our sincere hope that the victim will be able to make a full recovery. Several questions still need to be answered at this time. What company manufactured the battery involved? Was the battery on any recall list? What safety measures were in place to prevent these types of accidents?
Have you been affected by a battery explosion in Massachusetts? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our legal team remains committed to helping accident victims get the medical and financial assistance that they need to move forward. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to hold all responsible parties fully accountable. You can contact us anytime at 855-342-3552.
