Cellphones have become one of the most innovative and commercially successful products of the twenty-first century. There is currently an estimated 207 million smartphone users in the United States alone. Cellphones are used not only merely for phone calls anymore, and are now used daily for work, emails, texting, GPS, games and storage. People are often dependent on their smartphones for their daily activities. When a smartphone is defective, it can disrupt a person’s life, but some defects can also put lives at risk.
Samsung has recently issued a massive recall for an estimated 2.5 million units of their brand new smartphone, the Galaxy Note 7, after multiple units reportedly caught on fire. Many believe that the phone’s lithium battery might be to blame; but regardless of the specific cause, what appears to be evident is that the Galaxy Note 7 can combust without provocation, shooting high-intensity flames several feet for several seconds. According to nytimes.com, the phones have already been banned aboard most airlines and subways due to the fear for public safety.
Not all customers, however, were able to avoid being injured before the recall. Daniel Ramirez claims he was severely burned after his Galaxy Note 7 ignited in his pocket, shooting hot flames onto his left thigh and leg. Ramirez took has pants off as quickly as possible, but sustained second and third degree burns to the majority of his leg and was rushed to Akron’s Children Hospital. Ramirez is currently undergoing a series of skin graft surgeries but is expected to have several large scars and permeant nerve damage in his thigh, meaning he will have a loss of feeling in his leg for the rest of his life.
Manufacturers of defective products may be held liable for any and all personal injuries and expenses their products cause because of the defect. Have you been injured because of a defective product? If so, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable, and recover money for any damages or expenses you were forced to endure. Please contact one of our expert personal injury lawyers, including our product liability specialists at 617-787-3700 today!
