Melted battery on Samsung Galaxy Note 7
In September 2016 consumers faced a global nightmare after their brand new $500+ Samsung smartphones began to explode in their pockets. The problem was so serious that only two weeks after the devices release, the Federal Aviation Administration banned the Galaxy Note 7 from all domestic flights.
Samsung issued a recall on the device, offering a new device featuring a battery from a different supplier. There have also been reports of the replacement phones catching fire as well.
What Is The Samsung Galaxy Note 7?
The Galaxy Note 7 was the successor to the hugely popular Galaxy Note 5. The device utilized hardware components from Samsung’s Galaxy S7; such as expandable storage and IP68 water resistance. The device also touted new features such as a dual-sided curved display as well as support for HDR color.
Samsung marketed improvements to the device’s stylus with new software features to take advantage of this touch system. The Galaxy Note 7 also included a new iris recognition system. Marketing efforts were so successful, The Galaxy Note 7 broke pre-order records around the globe causing its release to be delayed in many international markets. The expensive Galaxy Note 7 seemed to be on the fast track to make millions for Samsung. Then the device’s started to catch fire.
Why Is The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Unsafe?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was manufactured by The Samsung Group, a South Korean multinational corporation headquartered in Seoul. It appears that Samsung sourced inexpensive lithium ion batteries while manufacturing their new flagship phone. These cheap LiOn battery packs often use poorly manufactured components that can overheat causing fires and explosions.
These fires and explosions have caused serious personal injury as well as damage to personal property. Consumers are entitled to a reasonable expectation that devices they purchase be safe and reliable; the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 did not meet either expectation.
Timeline Of Samsung’s Nightmare
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was unveiled on August 2, 2016 and officially released to the consumer market on August 19, 2016. Within one week, reports began to surface that the smartphone was overheating, causing fires and explosions. On September 2nd, 2016, after weeks of media scrutiny, Samsung suspended sales of its new release and announced an informal recall. On September 15th, 2016, the tech giant announced a formal recall due to risk of fire and explosion.
The Consumer Products Safety Commision (CPSC) jointly published this recall notice, saying, “Samsung has received 92 reports of the batteries overheating in the U.S., including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage.” These injuries were the tip of the iceberg, coming just weeks after the official launch of the product. On October 14th, 2016, Samsung’s choice to issue a dangerous product continued to haunt them as The FAA announced the defective Galaxy Note 7 would not be allowed on any domestic flights, including being shipped as cargo.
During October of 2016 Samsung halted all production of its flagship phone and released software updates intended to cripple the device by not allowing it to connect to cellular networks. Samsung’s series of dangerous missteps caused the company to suffer a 33% loss in profits. With all the injuries and property damaged by the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung still saw profits of almost $8 Billion in 2016 alone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 In The News
The American Media covered the Note 7 disaster in detail. CBS News profiled Joni Barwick, a woman who woke up to her brand new phone spewing flames just a few feet from her face. Barwick said,
“There’s orange and red and smoke and fire, and it took me just a split second to process that my phone was on fire.”
Her husband John thought quickly and saved the family’s home by carrying the smoldering device to their back year with a pair of oven mitts. “The entire way it was dripping burnt, melted plastic, and whatever else was inside the phone that had combusted was dripping all over our floor,” John said. The Barwick’s are far from alone in their suffering.
Michael Taylor, a 19 year old Galaxy Note 7 user, suffered severe burns at the hands of his prized phone. “I have never had a pain that strong in my life. I’ve literally taken a pitchfork through my foot and it doesn’t even compare to that,” Taylor said.
These are just two of hundreds of known incidents of Samsung’s exploding phones. Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of innocent people whose lives were changed for the worse by the dangerous phone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has been injured by a Samsung Galaxy 7, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your burn injuries.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386. We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
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