Educating residents about the Note 7 fire hazard

On Behalf of O’Malley Tunstall PLLC | Sep 20, 2016 | Products Liability

As a result of 35 cases of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 overheating and causing fires, the company recalled every Note 7 that had been sold. That is believed to be close to a million units sold worldwide. It has also stopped selling and shipping the product while it works with appropriate authorities to handle refunds and exchanges. Customers in North Carolina and elsewhere are being urged to return their phones immediately to avoid any issue with their devices.

The reason why the phones are becoming fire hazards has to do with the lithium ion battery packs they use. Liquid inside of the battery packs is highly flammable, and a short circuit could lead overheating caused by electrical current. The good news for users of the Note 7 is that there are fewer than 1,000 defective phones on the market. This is according to a Samsung official who says that the issue effects less than .01 percent of phones manufactured.

It is thought that the batteries were pressed too hard during the manufacturing process, which has caused the positive and negative poles to come into contact. The poles came into contact because the pressure punctured a thin piece of plastic that was supposed to keep them separate. It is also possible that the phone continues to charge indefinitely because it can’t tell when the battery has reached its full capacity.

If a defective product causes harm, it may be possible for an injured victim to pursue a personal injury lawsuit under the theory of products liability. If successful, an individual may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and reimbursement for any property damage that was sustained. An attorney representing a plaintiff can identify all parties that could be named as defendants.