Tag: product liability lawyer

Samsung Rogue Phone Explodes in User’s Face

May 18

The online community is abuzz with news about how Samsung cell phone has suddenly exploded right in front of the user’s face.

According to the owner, (who posted a detailed account of his “accident” at http://gizmodo.com/5539192/a-cellphone-exploded-in-my-face) when he got in his car to drive after going to the gym, he dropped his Samsung Rogue phone between the seat and the center console.

"Samsung rogue phone explodes" (photo credit: gizmodo.com)

Allegedly, he moved the car seat back to retrieve his phone but then heard a “creaking sound” right before the cell phone exploded in his face. The owner claimed that chemicals and debris had to be washed out from his eyes.

He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and given antibiotics. He reports that he still feels a burning sensation in his eyes after the explosion.

When the man complained to Verizon Wireless (his carrier) about the incident, all the company did was replace his phone. The man tried to file a complaint against Samsung but the cell phone explosion is still under investigation.

Every now and then, reports of exploding cell phones would make their way online. A few of the cases of explosions have been actually caused by the battery – specifically, batteries made of lithium-ion (Li-ion).

Li-ion batteries are actually very popular right now, and not just for cell phones. These are also used in laptops, iPods and palm pilots because these are lighter and the most energetic rechargeable batteries available.

Allegedly, two or three battery packs in a million end up exploding or bursting into flames – but the rate could be increased as when shorted and/or subjected to pressure.

So far, exploding batteries have not merited any recall on the part of the manufacturers or the government regulators. But if the injuries suffered by the Samsung Rogue owner phone can indeed be traced to a product defect – if the Samsung batteries were inordinately dangerous because of the combustible chemicals – the man would have a right to sue Samsung and/or Verizon as the manufacturer and retailer under Product Liability Law.

There are three kinds of defects which the “exploding cell phones” can be attributed to: manufacturing defects, dangerous design, and marketing or failure to warn defects. If you are injured or have experienced the same situation, it would also be best to consult with a personal injury attorney or a product liability lawyer to weigh the options whether mere replacement of your phone will suffice or further monetary compensation for your injuries.

California Ground Beef Recalled for E.Coli

Jan 21

Beef lovers beware!

According to the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, 864,000 pounds or 390 tons of ground-beef have been found to be tainted with E. coli and is now being recalled.

A batch of contaminated beef was found shipped by the plant from January 5 to January 15 and sold to distribution centers, restaurants and hotels in California.

Huntington Meat Packing Inc of Montebello, California produced the tainted beef. Fortunately for the company, there have been no reported illnesses or fatalities from the consumption of the product.

In 2008, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there were as many as 18,499 laboratory-confirmed cases of food-borne illnesses from ten states, including California.

E.coli bacteria – in particular – are the very common causes of food-borne illnesses which can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and kidney failure among others.

Very young children and older people are very vulnerable to it and can become seriously ill or develop severe illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) by ingesting food or water which has been contaminated with microscopic amounts of cow feces.

Victims of food poisoning, especially those who have been grievously affected by the contaminated food, may file a claim for damages against the food manufacturer or distributor.

You can rightfully recover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering especially if the manufacturer or distributor was negligent in handling the food product and failed to exercise care and quality control.

Consult a product liability lawyer to find out if you can file a claim against the manufacturer. Cases like this can be tricky as sometimes, a mere stomach ache or upset stomach would not amount to a valid claim for damages.