One day subsequent to Samsung instructing its partners and carriers to halt sales of the problematic Galaxy Note 7 due to instances of fire and explosions occurring in devices meant to replace the original, the corporation declared it would cease the production of its premier smartphone entirely.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury from an exploding Samsung phone, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
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Update: First Lawsuit Filed Over Exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7
According to NBC News, in October 2016, unhappy Samsung customers filed the first class action lawsuit in the nation over exploding Galaxy Note 7 smartphones [1].
The suit accuses Samsung Electronics America of fraud and breach of warranty and good faith; however, it doesn’t seek any damages over Note 7s that actually caught fire. Instead, the class action seeks unspecified damages over what it claims was Samsung’s mistreatment of its customers because they had to keep paying on their contracts after Samsung recalled the phones but before replacements were made available.
After Samsung discontinued the phones in September 2016, “consumers discontinued using their Note7s only to find out that Samsung did not have replacement smartphones available,” according to the suit. “Instead, Samsung informed consumers that they would have to wait several days, and even weeks in many cases, before receiving a replacement smartphone,” it alleges. Meanwhile, “consumers continued to incur monthly device and plan charges from their cellular carriers for phones they could not safely use.”
What’s the Problem?
According to the NY Times, on October 12, 2016 – Samsung’s announcement followed nearly a week of controversy surrounding the Note 7, which was recalled last month [2] over what was thought to be a defect in the device’s lithium-ion battery. The company launched a campaign to replace the smartphones and investigate the problem, but the plan was scrapped following at least 8 reports of fire in the replacement devices.
A replacement Note 7 caught fire on a Southwest Airlines plane before takeoff on Monday at Louisville International Airport, forcing the evacuation of all passengers and crew members. At least 7 other reports of fire and explosions in the smartphones were reported in the U.S. and overseas.
On Sunday, Samsung announced that it had temporarily discontinued production of Note 7 after all 4 major U.S. carriers of the smartphone — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint — stopped exchanging or selling the devices. That temporary discontinuation became permanent yesterday.
When Samsung issued the original Note 7 recall last month, the company projected losses of up to $1 billion. But now that it has permanently discontinued production of the device, Samsung faces a potentially unrecoverable $17 billion dollars in lost sales revenue.
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FAQs
What compensation might I receive from a Galaxy Note 7 lawsuit?
Compensation can include costs for repairs or replacement of damaged property, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and possibly punitive damages depending on the severity of the harm caused and the level of negligence.
Is there a deadline for filing a Galaxy Note 7 lawsuit?
Yes, there are statutes of limitations for filing a lawsuit, which vary by state. It is crucial to act promptly and consult with an attorney to ensure you file within the required timeframe.
Can I join a class action lawsuit if I have been harmed by a Galaxy Note 7?
Yes, if a class action lawsuit is underway, you may be eligible to join it if your circumstances are similar to those of other plaintiffs. Consult with an attorney for details.
What steps should I take if I’ve been harmed by a defective Galaxy Note 7?
Seek medical attention if you were injured, document the defect and any related incidents with photographs or videos, keep all records of purchase and communication with the manufacturer, and consult with an attorney to discuss your legal options.
See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
Do I Have a Samsung Galaxy Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Note 7 recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were burned by a Samsung phone, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
References:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/first-u-s-suit-filed-over-exploding-samsung-galaxy-note-n668541
- http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/business/samsung-galaxy-note-recall