An exploding iPhone battery is the subject of one lawsuit against Apple Inc. in federal court in Texas. A man from Hopkins County, Texas alleged that his iPhone 6 battery was defective, exploded and hurt him.
Robert Franklin filed Franklin v. Apple Inc. as a proposed class action on May 6, 2021. He voluntarily dismissed it on July 14, 2022. No MDL has been formed for iPhone battery explosions.
The case continued past both of Apple’s motions to dismiss until he dismissed it. Apple’s separate 2016 battery repair offer for the iPhone 6s was for shutdowns, not explosions.
- Case or litigation name: Franklin v. Apple Inc.
- Defendants: Apple Inc.
- Court and docket number, when available: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, No. 4:21-cv-00354 (CourtListener docket)
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL
- Filing date: May 6, 2021
- Main allegations: Alleged defective iPhone 6 battery that can explode and catch fire, and breach of warranty
- Products or people involved: iPhone 6 (the plaintiff’s phone, which he says exploded in August 2019); plaintiff Robert Franklin of Hopkins County, Texas, seeking class action status
Table Of Contents
- Latest iPhone Battery Explosion Lawsuit Updates
- July 14, 2022: Franklin Voluntarily Dismisses the Case
- June 15, 2022: Judge Denies the Second Motion to Dismiss
- January 14, 2022: Franklin Files a Second Amended Complaint
- October 27, 2021: Judge Partly Grants the First Motion to Dismiss
- May 6, 2021: Franklin Files a Class Action Against Apple
- December 6, 2016: Apple Confirms an iPhone 6s Battery Deficiency
- What Is a Lithium-Ion Battery?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Latest iPhone Battery Explosion Lawsuit Updates
July 14, 2022: Franklin Voluntarily Dismisses the Case
On July 14, 2022, Robert Franklin filed a notice of voluntary dismissal in Franklin v. Apple Inc. [1]. The class action over an exploding iPhone was pending in the Eastern District of Texas.
The court terminated the case the next day, July 15, 2022. No verdict or settlement is named in the case.
June 15, 2022: Judge Denies the Second Motion to Dismiss
On June 15, 2022, Judge Amos L. Mazzant III denied the motion to dismiss the second amended complaint in Franklin v. Apple Inc. The order was a memorandum opinion and order, and the denial let the case continue.
January 14, 2022: Franklin Files a Second Amended Complaint
On January 14, 2022, Robert Franklin filed a second amended complaint against Apple Inc. The filing came after Judge Mazzant partly granted and partly denied the first motion to dismiss.
October 27, 2021: Judge Partly Grants the First Motion to Dismiss
On October 27, 2021, Judge Mazzant granted in part and denied in part Apple’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The order covered a motion under Rules 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6) and a motion to abate.
May 6, 2021: Franklin Files a Class Action Against Apple
On May 6, 2021, Robert Franklin of Hopkins County, Texas filed Franklin v. Apple Inc. in the Eastern District of Texas, as MacTech reported [2].
The complaint sought class action status and a jury trial. It alleged that the iPhone 6 battery “creates a danger of explosion and fire.”
December 6, 2016: Apple Confirms an iPhone 6s Battery Deficiency
On December 6, 2016, BGR reported that Apple confirmed a battery deficiency in some iPhone 6s units [3]. Apple offered a free fix for units sold in September and October 2015. The issue was unexpected shutdowns, not explosions.
What Is a Lithium-Ion Battery?
According to the EPA, lithium-ion batteries are used in many products, such as electronics. They can be smaller and lighter than other batteries and still hold the same amount of energy [4].
Apple says rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are inside every iPhone. The Franklin complaint alleged a flaw in one such battery, in an iPhone 6.
Who May Be Affected?
Owners of an iPhone 6 whose battery overheated, caught fire or exploded in use and caused injury are the people the Franklin complaint describes. Franklin’s claim covers one phone.
A second claim, filed in New York state court in November 2018, involved an iPhone 6s. Only an individual legal review can say whether your facts qualify.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The Franklin complaint alleged that his iPhone 6 exploded in August 2019. It said the blast damaged his eyes and wrist. It alleged the battery “contains a defect which makes it unable to reliably perform its function.”
A New York suit from November 2018 involved an iPhone 6s. As MacTech reported, the man said he was caused to suffer “severe bodily injuries” when it exploded. Neither account is a court finding.
The EPA states that even used lithium-ion batteries can have enough energy to injure or start fires. That is general EPA guidance and says nothing about any iPhone.
Recall and Regulatory Background
Apple’s iPhone 6s battery fix was not a recall. In December 2016, BGR said Apple had not extended the offer to other units. A repair offer does not by itself establish liability.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep the following items, which show which phone was involved, when the incident happened and what it cost you:
- The phone and its battery, and do not discard or charge a damaged one
- The model number and the serial number or IMEI
- Your purchase receipt and any warranty or repair records
- Photographs and video of the phone and any scene
- Medical records and bills
- Any messages with Apple, the retailer or the carrier
- Notes of when and how the incident happened
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They differ with where you live and when your injury happened. Waiting too long can cost you the right to bring a claim, so ask a lawyer about your own deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You File an iPhone Battery Explosion Lawsuit Against Apple?
You can file an iPhone battery explosion lawsuit against Apple, and people have. The man who sued in federal court asked for damages for the allegedly defective iPhone 6 and battery, incidental damages for replacement devices, attorneys’ fees and court costs.
What Does the Research Say About iPhone Battery Problems?
The research on iPhone battery problems is BGR’s report that Apple blamed air that contaminated individual battery components in some iPhone 6s units. Apple called that freak occurrence the cause of the shutdowns.
What Does the EPA Advise for a Damaged Phone Battery?
The EPA advises contacting the battery or device manufacturer for specific handling information if a lithium-ion battery becomes damaged. The agency makes this point on its page about used lithium-ion batteries, which covers batteries of every brand.
Can Worn-Out Phone Batteries Harm Health or the Environment?
Worn-out phone batteries that are not properly managed at end of life can harm human health or the environment, according to the EPA. The agency also lists toys and wireless headphones among the products that use lithium-ion batteries.
References
- https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59885796/franklin-v-apple-inc/
- https://www.mactech.com/2021/05/06/apple-sued-yet-again-over-an-exploding-iphone
- https://www.bgr.com/tech/iphone-6s-shutdowns-battery-drain
- https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries