US man sues Samsung after Note 7 exploded in his pocket

Tech giant Samsung is under hot water again, as one of its users has filed a lawsuit against it due to a potential battery defect on one of its smartphones.

The suit, filed by Jonathan Strobel of Palm Beach County, Florida,  USA, claims that a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was in his right pocket on Sept. 9 when it burst, causing “severe burns” to his leg.

The unfortunate incident left him “in shock and extreme pain due to his injuries,” according to ABC News.

While trying to remove his phone from his pants, the victim said his left thumb was also severely burned. The lawsuit, which seeks damages in excess of $15,000 (P718,867) covers the cost for his medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other injuries.

The accident occurred on Sept. 9, just a day after Samsung recalled about one million Note 7 units sold in the US.

“He has a deep second-degree burn, roughly the size of the phone, on his right thigh. Unfortunately for my client, the recall came too late,” Keith Pierro, Strobel’s lawyer, was quoted as saying in the report.

A Samsung spokesperson, meanwhile, told ABC News that the company is aware of the incident, but that it doesn’t “comment on pending litigation.”

In the meantime, the company advised consumers to discontinue using the devices and return them to their place of purchase. They also promised to a choice of a refund, or a new Galaxy Note7 with a different battery or another replacement device of a different model.

READ: Samsung executive addresses customers on Note 7 recall

Galaxy Note 7 replacement devices will be available at most US retail stores starting Sept. 21.  Khristian Ibarrola

READ: Samsung to cap battery charging for Galaxy Note 7 at 60%