Two California women have filed a lawsuit against Google over its Fitbit smartwatches, claiming that the models not included in a recent recall resulted in burn injuries.
According to a Business Insider report, Fitbit, which Google owns, recalled its Ionic Smartwatch in March after reports of at least 115 burn injuries from consumers. Fitbit recalled about 1.7 million of these smartwatches because the device’s lithium-ion battery could overheat and cause these burn injuries.
Fitbit Burn Injuries: Limited Recall
In court filings, Fitbit customers Jenny Houtchens and Samantha Ramirez claimed that Google’s past recall was insufficient because the same defect exists throughout all Fitbit smartwatches. Houtchens claims that the Versa Lite model she owned had burned her daughter’s wrist, while Ramirez said the firm’s Versa 2 smartwatch had burned her wrist.
The women’s lawsuit also cited social media posts and photos of people who have claimed they were burned by wearing a Fitbit to prove their case. Both plaintiffs are seeking a refund of the price of their Fitbits and reimbursement of their legal costs. The Ionic was not the first Fitbit smartwatch criticized for causing consumer injuries.
In 2014, Fitbit stopped sales and recalled a million Force smartwatches over reports of skin irritation. Other companies, like Apple, have also been hit with similar legal action over smartwatches. Last year, Apple caused owners’ screens to crash and expose “razor-sharp edges.”
Product Liability Issues
Suppose you have suffered injuries due to Fitbit smartwatches or any product. In that case, you must immediately seek medical attention and contact an experienced California product defect lawyer to help protect your rights. You may be able to receive compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost income, permanent injuries, and pain and suffering.
You may be able to file a lawsuit even if the faulty product that injured you hasn’t been recalled. Many of the products that are defective because of a manufacturing defect or design flaw are not recalled. A knowledgeable product liability lawyer can analyze the product using experts and help determine the value of your product defect claim.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/google-sued-over-insufficient-fitbit-recall-burn-injuries-2022-5
