Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 smartphones were very popular when initially released on August 19, but reports of the devices catching fire quickly emerged between late August and early September. Samsung then issued a voluntary recall on September 15 that included all Galaxy Note7 smartphones sold before that date. Though it was originally believed that the defect was due to faulty lithium-ion batteries, reports of fires and overheating in the replacement devices continued.
Samsung and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a second recall of Galaxy Note7 smartphones, which includes nearly 1.9 million devices in the United States alone. Samsung and CPSC have urged consumers to power down all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones purchased before September 15, 2016, including replacement devices, due to ongoing safety concerns. Samsung has announced that it will permanently halt the production, sale, and exchange of the devices.
What is the Issue with Samsung Galaxy Note7 Smartphones?
A recent report by the New York Times suggests that Samsung’s engineers have been unable to reproduce the explosions. Apparently, Samsung initially believed that it could resolve the problem by replacing the smartphones’ batteries, but then reports surfaced that some replacement devices had spontaneously exploded. Samsung is currently working with the CPSC to investigate numerous reported cases of the Note7s, but it is still unclear what is causing the devices to become overheated and burst into flames.
Risk of Fire and Overheating
Shortly after the second recall was issued, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA indicated that all Galaxy Note7 smartphones would be banned from airplanes. The announcement followed an incident in early October in which a Note7 caught fire during a Southwest flight and passengers had to be evacuated.
Consumers are strongly advised to immediately power down and stop using their Galaxy Note7 smartphones because of the serious fire hazard. According to reports, approximately 40 percent of Note7 users have not complied with Samsung and the CPSC’s appeal to power down their phones despite the risks involved.
To date, there have been 96 reports of Notes7s overheating including 23 new reports since the first September 15 recall announcement. Samsung has received 13 reports of burns and 47 reports of property damage in connection with the Galaxy Note7 phones. Samsung has already been named in a lawsuit from a man in Florida who sustained second-degree burns on his leg and thumb when his Note7 exploded in his pocket.
Contact a Birmingham Product Injury Lawyer for Help
If you have been injured by a defective product, you may be able to recover compensation through a product liability case. Compensation for your losses and injuries may include:
- Medical costs
- Loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of use of property
At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., our product recalls lawyers are experienced in helping victims who may have sustained serious injury due to faulty products. We have won more than $200 million in settlements and jury verdicts. To find out more about how we can best represent you, learn how our Montgomery product liability lawyers, Mobile product liability lawyers, Huntsville product liability lawyers, and Birmingham product liability lawyers can help you.
