Samsung’s Latest Recall Poses Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury
It hasn’t been a good year for Samsung loyalists. The Galaxy Note 7 recall was a disaster; it was more than a month after injuries and multiple cases of exploding batteries were reported before an official recall was issued. After replacement handsets started exploding, the company published a public apology in full-page ads in three major newspapers.
Backhanded apology
In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, the apology ad mentioned a voluntary recall for a “rare” issue with defective Samsung washing machines. The problem is that a faulty part lets the tub detach from the frame during high-speed spin cycles, causing serious vibration that can violently detach the tops of the machine. So far, nine cases out of 700 reported issues have resulted in serious injuries, including a broken jaw and injured shoulder.
Worst of all, it appears that the company has been reluctant to address the issue for some time. A class action lawsuit filed last month alleges that Samsung ignored customer reports, even though photo evidence shows serious damage to the walls around defective units. In early November, NPR reported, “Amid a growing number of reports of machines shaking, falling over and sending parts flying, Samsung said in September that the cases were rare and recommended using lower-speed spin cycles for bulky items.”
Setting aside the lack of concern Samsung has for the safety of its customers, this is an unbelievable way to handle a problem that has the potential to break your jaw. Washing machine tubs spin at high speed; when all that torque and energy isn’t properly contained, it can do serious and permanent damage. If the lid that broke someone’s jaw hit a few inches higher, the lawsuit would be about catastrophic traumatic brain injury and lifelong medical care instead of a trip to the emergency room.
When big companies value the bottom line over safety, people get hurt. Corporate negligence is still negligence, and it can have devastating consequences for you and your family. If you or your loved one has been injured by a defective product, the experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. Call 803-327-7800 or contact us today for a free consultation; we serve all of South Carolina.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
Read more about S. Randall Hood