If you live in Naperville and have recently purchased a Samsung product, you should be aware of a couple of significant safety recalls. As a recent report from ABC News explains, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, a new smartphone device, was recalled due to the serious risk of fire and burn-related injuries. Just a couple of weeks later, news arose about a possible product defect in Samsung top-loading washing machines that can lead the appliance to explode, according to a recent article in Business Insider. While some product defects are relatively minor and often do not result in severe or life-threatening personal injuries—or place consumers at serious risk of this level of harm—the recent Samsung recalls are different. Both of the products mentioned have the potential to cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.

What else do you need to know about the potential safety defects in these Samsung devices? And what should you do if you own one of the dangerous products?

Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards in Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Smartphones

The first significant recall concerns the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones released earlier this summer. What is wrong with these devices? In short, there is a problem with the lithium-ion battery. The defect does not impact the design of the phone as a whole, but rather the battery contained within it. Under certain conditions, including when plugged into a power source, the battery can overheat and can cause an explosion or a fire. According to the ABC News report, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) knows of 92 reports involving overheating lithium-ion batteries. In 55 of those cases, fires started and caused property damage in consumers' cars and garages, among other places. In 26 of those reported incidents, consumers sustained burn-related injuries due to explosion or fire from the overheating battery.

Takata Air Bag Recall Expanded Again

Given the widespread harms associated with Takata air bags, most drivers in Aurora and across the country have heard about the massive recall. However, in order for a recall to be effective, consumers need to determine whether their automobiles have been impacted. Additionally, recalls often occur only after someone gets hurt or suffers a fatal injury from a defective product, and that is the case when we look at the history of the Takata air bag recall. According to a recent article from NPR, the U.S. Department of Transportation just announced that between 35 and 40 million more defective Takata air bag inflators will be subject to the recall. As the article highlights, along with the 28.8 million air bag inflators already recalled, "this massive action will add up to the largest safety recall in U.S. history."

In the case of the defective Takata air bag inflator, many consumers around the globe have already sustained fatal injuries. If you recently lost a loved one due to injuries caused by a defective automobile product, you should learn more about filing a wrongful death lawsuit to seek financial compensation.

Recalling the History of the Takata Air Bag Recall and Related Fatalities

A recent article in Car and Driver discussed the history of the Takata air bag inflator recall and the fatal injuries linked to this defective product. Specifically, we know that there have been "at least two deaths" in Honda automobiles, and that number may be even higher. The NPR article reports that the defect has been "tied to 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries" in the United States alone when we take into account all of the affected vehicle models. How do fatal injuries result from an air bag inflator?

The simple act of driving your car in the Chicago area, either alone or with passengers, should not be an exercise that comes with a serious risk of fatal injuries due to defective air bags. Yet over the past months, news outlets have emphasized the substantial risk of death that can accompany the use of automobiles installed with certain air bags. In particular, those made by Takata Corp can explode, resulting in fatal injuries to vehicle occupants.

When a loved one suffers fatal injuries in an accident, it is important to learn more about filing a wrongful death claim to obtain financial compensation.

Expansion of Recall Concerning Potentially Deadly Air Bag Inflators

According to a recent article in Reuters, Honda Motor Co Ltd newly expanded its recall of vehicles containing potentially defective air bags, bringing the total recall number up to about 2.3 million. As Honda expanded its Takata air bag recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) updated its "Recall Spotlight" webpage to announce "new developments about defective Takata air bag inflators that will lead to additional vehicle recalls." In short, the NHTSA learned that the recent rupture of a Takata air bag inflator resulted in the ninth fatality in the United States.

Illinois Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical devices are an essential part of healthcare, and are used to diagnose and treat all types of illnesses and other medical issues. Unfortunately, those medical devices are sometimes faulty or are used improperly, and patients are put at risk of further medical troubles. If a patient suffers harm as a result, the use of defective medical devices can lead to a products liability claim against a designer, manufacturer, or medical professional. If you have been injured by a defective medical device, please contact an attorney today to discuss your options.

Defective Devices

A medical device is a product that is used to treat or diagnose a patient. Medical devices are used every day by healthcare professionals, and span a wide range of products. Some examples include:

• Hip or knee replacements;
• Surgical mesh;
• Ventilators;
• MRI systems;
• Pacemakers;
• Vascular stents; and
• Infusion pumps.

Unfortunately, some of these devices may be defective. A device may fail to function properly, thus allowing a medical condition to progress without proper treatment. Defective diagnostic devices may delay diagnoses, meaning that an illness or condition can take its course without treatment. A malfunctioning medical device may cause an injury or even worsen the very condition it was designed to treat. Patients with defective devices implanted in them, such as surgical mesh or joint replacements, may need further surgery to remove the devices.