Samsung Galaxy Note7 Recall

By Kelly Balamuth on October 3, 2016

The manufacturer of the Galaxy Note7, Samsung, has announced a voluntary recall and exchange program for Galaxy Note7’s that can overheat and pose safety risks to users. The company is doing this in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC has formally made a recall for nearly 1 million of the devices. Affected devices were sold in the U.S. before September 15, 2016. While the company has acted to recall its products, knowing your rights as a consumer can help you decide any legal action to pursue if you’ve been injured by a Galaxy Note7. Having a knowledgeable attorney can assist you in gathering evidence for a trial.

The Problem with the Galaxy Note7

The batteries in the Samsung Galaxy Note7 were touted as being long-lasting and able to hold a charge for nine hours, but instead had manufacturing flaws. The batteries burned or exploded when the phone was on or was charging. It is important, as a consumer, to heed the manufacturer’s warnings by stopping use of the device, powering it down, and returning the defective products. There have been, according to the CPSC, “26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage.” Owners of Galaxy Note7s are now cautioned to not take these devices on airplanes and to not leave these phones in luggage, checked or carry-on, in case other objects bump the power button and inadvertently turn on the devices. Since the formal recall from the CPSC, it is illegal to bring Galaxy Note7s on airplanes because the devices are safety hazards.

The Recall

Samsung advises that if you own a Galaxy Note7 it “is extremely important to stop using your device, power it down, and immediately exchange it using our U.S. Note7 Exchange Program.” The company has issued a statement that it should have replacement phones available as of September 21. It is essential that consumers heed the recall warnings yet, according to Samsung, only 130,000 units, less than 15 percent, have been returned to the company for exchange. Consumers should heed the recall warnings and exchange their devices, especially when the CPSC has validated the safety of the replacement units.

Liabilities

Injuries and property damages due to fires and explosions could be liabilities for Samsung, the manufacturer the company relies on for the batteries, and for other parts of the cellphone manufacturing supply chain. It is also the responsibility of the consumers to heed Samsung and the CPSC’s warnings about the dangers of the defective products.

Balmuth Law has experience in helping personal injury victims. If you’ve suffered as a result of a defective product, please contact us at (888) 254-1234 for more information and a free case consultation.