Samsung Galaxy Note 7 causes evacuation at Louisville Airport due to battery safety concerns

As you’re probably aware, Samsung are having a real nightmare in terms of their Galaxy Note 7 and its tenancy to suddenly set fire to itself…

In one recent incident off the back of this ongoing issue, a supposedly safe device starting ‘smoking’ at Louisville Airport when the owner tried to power off the phone on take-off at an airport. This caused a big disruption to the outbound flight and led to an evacuation.

Of course, the bigger concern is that the faulty product could have caused a serious incident had this have happened during the flight!

Samsung has not had a great run with its Galaxy Note 7 so far. Since its launch, they have had persistent issues with the battery which can catch fire due to a fault.

The product itself is already under investigation as a result of the reported incidents and the recall, and the incident at the Louisville Airport is also being investigated separately. Currently, there are millions being recalled as safety concerns grow.

However, the incident at Louisville Airport is an even scarier one. Why? Because the mobile phone in relation to the flight is suspected to be a replacement phone.

If this is a replacement phone, it suggests the problem is far from over.

By ‘repairing’ the product at a seemingly unsafe standard, Samsung are putting their customers at more risk of injury or death. Sarah Green, the wife of the owner of the mobile phone in question, said the product was recalled in mid-September because of “serious fire and burn hazards”. To be given another faulty phone is incredibly dangerous, and warrants more serious investigations in the problems.

Samsung not yet prepared to fully comment…

Samsung has reserved substantive comment in terms of the incident so far. The mobile phone manufacturer released a statement saying they will work with the authorities to track down the mobile phone in question, but, until then, they have no information or speculation to share in regards to how it’s happened.

If Samsung do not want to be liable for personal injury claims, they had better act fast in their investigations.

Recent statistics report that by mid-September this year Samsung received 92 reports of the mobile phone overheating in the U.S., with 26 cases of burns, and 55 cases of property damage. This is unacceptable.

Sales halted earlier last month as the company feared there were battery concerns. In a statement, they said:

“…our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note 7.”

Liability for damages

Samsung could be subject to personal injury claims and property damage claims as well.

There are reports online that show the extent of damage that can be caused by the Galaxy Note 7 fault, with one incident reportedly destroying its owner’s Jeep when the mobile phone set alight inside!

The mobile manufacturer’s U.S. president apologised to all of their customers and offered a replacement on the affected models. In the U.K., the company has pledged to replace the faulty devices from 19 September.

Is that enough compensation for those who have had damages exceeding the value of the mobile phone itself? Ibtimes reports that complaints worldwide have been addressed on an individual basis through its customer service and warranty process. Maybe Samsung will provide higher remedial action to those who have suffered a greater loss.

Let’s hope that Samsung will remedy the issue as soon as possible, or else their reputation will be damaged beyond repair, and lives could be lost…