Samsung resumes Galaxy Note 7 sale, customers seek damages for burns on crotch, legs

After the global recall of Galaxy Note 7 devices sold world wide, Samsung Electronics resumed the sale of its flagship smartphone this week.

The new batch of South Korea-made Android smartphones hit gadgets stores across Seoul on Oct. 1. The Galaxy Note 7 devices were put on sale on through various telecom providers in the United States starting Oct. 5. The Samsung flagship smartphones, however, are yet to arrive in Australia.

Samsung assured the public that the new batch of Galaxy Note 7 devices are free of defective batteries that either explode or catch fire. The device’s fire risk forced the South Korean smartphone maker to recall over 1 million Galaxy Note 7 phones sold worldwide since its Aug. 2 launch.

Despite taking responsibility for the defect and losing profit in the process, Samsung Electronics will be facing irate customers in court.

The Daily Mail reported that at least two male customers are suing Samsung Electronics after their respective devices caught fire and caused them serious skin burns.

Citing a TMZ report, the Daily Mail said Michael Taylor is seeking damages after his Galaxy Note 7 device burst into flames while charging. Taylor’s phone caught fire and spitted flames to his bed, crotch and legs as he slept. He claimed to have suffered from third-degree burns due to the incident.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Strobel from Florida said his Galaxy Note 7 device was on his pants when it exploded on Sep. 9.

Strobel burnt his left thumb after trying to remove the phone from his pants, apart from nursing a second-degree burn on his right thigh due to the incident.

Strobel claimed that that Samsung’s decision to recall the device was “too late,” as he demanded US$15,000 for damages in a Florida state court.

Replacement of the recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices started on Sep. 21. Customers were given the option to refund the cost of buying the smartphone or to seek for a replacement device with non-defective batteries.