Few people in New Mexico will deny that burns are among the most excruciating injuries a person can suffer. Depending on how deeply into the skin the burn goes, the victim may be left with permanent damages such as physical scars and psychological trauma. Burns heal slowly and require specialized treatment that often adds even more pain to the already suffering patient. When burns occur as the result of a defective product, those enduring the suffering may seek some restitution.
Recently, the world watched with interest as the Samsung Corporation reacted to reports of its Galaxy Note 7 exploding and catching fire. At first, the stories were of vehicles, garages and houses burning after the lithium-ion batteries in the phones overheated and combusted without warning. The company voluntarily issued a recall of over 2.5 million of the popular phones at a cost of about $5 billion. The Federal Aviation Administration banned the phones from flights, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned consumers to stop using the devices.
Then came the news that a six-year-old boy was watching videos on a different Samsung device when it exploded in his hand and burned him, requiring hospitalization. Soon after that, the company was slapped with a lawsuit from a man who claims his phone caught fire in his pocket, burning his leg, back and hand, and causing his clothes to melt to his skin. The severe injuries the man sustained will require multiple surgeries and years of rehabilitation.
These fires and others from all over the world are from several different models of Samsung phones. Possibly, people in New Mexico have also had serious mishaps with their cell phones. It is likely that some victims have already consulted attorneys to help them seek compensation for the pain of the burns they received. While any money from a lawsuit will not take away the discomfort or the permanent damages, it may help the victims to find the best possible medical care for their injuries.
Source: legalexaminer.com, “Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Hot On The Market And Already Up In Flames“, Mark Bello, Sept. 14, 2016