Samsung has now withdrawn all of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from sale globally as fires continue despite “safe” replacements. Consumers are being warned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Samsung to immediately turn off their phones. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration has also restated its plea to passengers onboard aircraft to power down, and not use, charge, or stow in checked baggage, any Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices, including both the recalled and the replacement devices.
As we previously reported in this blog, the CPSC issued an official recall of certain Galaxy Note 7 smartphones as the affected devices can overheat and pose a safety risk. According to the CPSC, 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. The Federal Aviation Administration also announced that Note 7 owners need to turn off their phones when flying, and not to put them in any checked baggage.
The recall initially involved the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone sold before September 15, 2016. They have a 5.7 inch screen and were sold in the following colors: black onyx, blue coral, gold platinum and silver titanium with a matching stylus. Samsung is printed on the top front of the phone and Galaxy Note 7 is printed on the back of the phone.
Unfortunately, the recall and withdraw of all Galaxy Note 7 phones has come too late for some individuals, including Daniel Ramirez of Patterson, California and Jonathan Strobel of Boca Raton, Florida. Both men allege they suffered severe burns after their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones exploded in their pockets. Ramirez’s smartphone exploded and caught fire in his pocket while he was at work at a construction site in Akron, Ohio in May, engulfing his leg in flames. The explosion caused second-degree burns to his hand and third-degree burns to his right leg, which required skin graft surgery. Strobel’s phone exploded in his pocket on September 9th when he was in a Costco store in Palm Beach Gardens, and he also suffered serious burns to his leg and hand. Both men have filed suit against Samsung. The cases are Daniel Ramirez v. Samsung Electronics America Inc. et al. pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County and Strobel v Samsung Electronics America Inc et al, filed in Florida Circuit Court, 15th Judicial District, Palm Beach County.
Attorney Pamela Borgess, the founder of Borgess Law, LLC, has successfully represented multiple clients who have sustained serious injury as a result of recalled products. For more information or to speak with Attorney Borgess, contact Borgess Law, LLC at (567) 455-5955. You can also contact Borgess Law, LLC by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law, LLC never charges a fee for an initial consultation.