After initially issuing a warning about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone, federal safety officials have now ordered a mandatory recall of the phones. The recall was issued as a result of multiple reports of consumers being injured when their phones suddenly exploded.
Lithium-ion batteries in the defective phones can explode when they overheat while being charged. Over the past month, there have been several reports of exploding Galaxy Note 7 devices in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Photographs and videos showing the frightening aftermath of these explosions have circulated on the Internet.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is asking consumers to immediately stop using the defective devices due to risk of serious injuries and property damage caused by explosions. Any customers with the Galaxy Note 7 should immediately stop using the phone and contact their local Samsung carrier.
The CPSC conducted a detailed investigation, with the agency ultimately determining that the replacement phones were necessary for the safety of consumers. The CPSC recently said that it will be working with the company on the recall notice.
While the CPSC investigated the situation, Samsung suspended sales of the Galaxy Note 7 phones and issued a recall of phones that had already been sold. Remarkably, the voluntary product recall wasn’t even called a “recall”; it was creatively described by Samsung representatives as a “product exchange program.” The recall of the dangerous phones is now mandatory, making it difficult for Samsung to refer to it by any other name.
Samsung has faced scrutiny for the way it handled the situation. For instance, Consumer Reports, a nonprofit group that conducts expert testing of all manner of products, recently issued a statement criticizing Samsung for delaying the recall of the defective devices in the first place.
The mandatory recall allows federal safety officials to take a more active role in the way Samsung handles things going forward. For instance, the federal government will now approve the electronics company’s actions with regard to replacing the defective phones.
The product recall issued by the CPSC might not be the end of the story. According to officials, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also looking into the possibility of banning individuals from bringing the defective phones aboard planes.
For more information, read the Washington Post article, “Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Users’ Phones Are Blowing Up, Literally.”
If you have been injured while using a defective product, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit in order to get compensation for your injuries. Richard Stoloff is an experienced product liability and personal injury attorney who can help you explore your legal options. Contact Mr. Stoloff today to schedule a free consultation.