More Reports of Exploding Lithium Ion Batteries Has Samsung Saying “Power Down”

Note 7 Phones Not The First To Experience Exploding Lithium Ion Batteries. Reports of E-Cigarettes and Hover Boards Catching Fire Have Already Sparked Lawsuits

With reports of exploding lithium Ion batteries in the Note 7 replacement phones, Samsung Electronics has stopped production and global sales of its Galaxy Note 7. Samsung officials had previously recalled 2.5 million smart phones after they identified a manufacturing defect in the lithium ion battery. These recent reports of exploding lithium ion batteries are not the first we’ve heard. A lithium ion battery also powers electronic cigarettes. Reports of exploding e-cigarettes causing users to suffer second- and third-degree burns. In addition, the lithium batteries in hover boards made the news with multiple reports and videos of the lithium batteries catching fire and burning a house down. These incidents have turned into the filing of personal injury lawsuits alleging manufacturers, distributors and retailers failed to disclose the explosion risk associated with their lithium ion batteries.
[abcactionnews.com/news/national/samsung-stops-making-galaxy-note-7s-as-more-phones-ignite]

“Whether it’s a smartphone or an e-cigarette device, any type of explosion from a lithium ion battery will cause serious and, many times, permanent injuries,” says Dr. François Blaudeau. “Our firm has spoken with numerous people from around the country who have experienced severe injuries from exploding lithium batteries. It’s time manufacturers take a closer look at why we have so many reports in multiple devices.”

Samsung announced on Tuesday that it would no longer produce its popular Galaxy Note 7 smartphone because customers continued to report the phone catching fire, the Associated Press reported. In September, the company said it would recall 2.5 million phones to fix the battery problem and offered consumers replacement models. Consumers, however, reported that the phones that had been repaired were still overheating, smoking and catching fire.
[abcactionnews.com/news/national/samsung-stops-making-galaxy-note-7s-as-more-phones-ignite, October 11, 2016]

Lithium ion batteries explosions have become such a concern that the U.S. Department of Transportation in May banned the use of e-cigarettes on airplane flights, according to The New York Times. E-cigarettes simulate smoking traditional cigarettes by producing a heated vapor of liquid nicotine that the user inhales. Doctors and burn centers nationwide are reporting more cases of e-cigarette users with burn injuries due to their e-cigarette or battery exploding.
[nytimes.com/2016/09/03/technology/samsungs-recall-the-problem-with-lithium-ion-batteries.html]
[usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/electronic_cigarettes.pdf]

According to court documents, plaintiffs filing e-cigarette explosion lawsuits allege injuries from a lithium ion battery exploding while charging or while in pants pockets, particularly if coins are in the pocket. The e-cigarette complaints say users suffered burns to their lips, eyes, hands, legs and other body parts. One of the largest jury awards, so far, was given to a California woman who said she was charging her e-cigarette’s battery in her vehicle’s charger in March 2013 when the battery exploded. She sustained second-degree burns on her legs, buttocks and hand. In October 2015, a Riverside County Superior Court jury awarded her $1.9 million. (Case No. RIC1306769, Superior Court of the State of California, County of Riverside)

The attorneys at Southern Med Law continue to provide legal assistance to clients from around the country who have been the victims of negligence, personal injuries from unsafe consumer products. The firm is Led by Dr. François Blaudeau, an attorney and a practicing doctor. The legal staff at Southern Med Law possesses a deep understanding of personal injury claims involving lithium batteries as the from represents clients in e-cigarette lawsuits. They’re not afraid to advocate for their clients against big corporations and are committed to ensuring that all victims have access to the type of aggressive legal representation that assures success. For more information on this and other information contact Southern Med law by calling 1-205-547-5525 or visit southernmedlaw.com.

Southern Med Law
François M. Blaudeau, MD JD FACHE FCLM Esquire
2224 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Phone: 205-547-5525

Fax: 205-547-5526
francois@sml-legal.i-mlaw.com