Apple sued for exploding iPod Touch – children at serious risk?
By Mike Ferro
The Apple iPod Touch is a very popular media player, but questions are being asked about how safe it is after a recent incident. A lawsuit has been lodged against Apple after an iPod Touch allegedly exploded, injuring a child.
The iPod Touch is probably one of the most successful media devices in the history of portable players. This single device helped propel Apple back into the lime light as a major player in the media industry. The company has bragged that over 163 million units have been sold to date.
A mother recently filed a lawsuit against Apple after her son’s iPod Touch exploded in his pants. Apparently the device was in a powered-down state when it heated up and exploded. He ended up running to the bathroom to put the fire out from his pants.
The suit states, “Plaintiff A.V. immediately ran to the bathroom and took off his burning pants with the assistance of a friend… On said date and at said time, the Apple iTouch had burned through Plaintiff A.V.’s pants pocket and melted through his nylon/spandex underwear, burning his leg.”
According to IGN, a doctor diagnosed that the boy suffered from second degree burns from the incident. He also diagnosed that the boy was mentally stressed by the ordeal. The doctor stated, “He continues to suffer from both physical and mental conditions which will cause him to suffer pain, mental distress, emotional distress, and otherwise for the rest of his life.”
As we all know, it is hard to argue with doctors. The mother is seeking a respectable $75,000 from compensatory damages and an additional $75,000 in punitive damages. The suit targets Apple and 10 employees at the Apple store where the device was purchased.
Devices exploding in consumer’s pockets have not been completely uncommon. Reports of cell phones exploding have been reported before, but this is probably the first case for an iPod Touch. As with all electronic devices there is always a small risk that something can go awry. May be the best preventative measure consumers can take is to bring the fanny pack back into style.
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March 16th, 2009
“He continues to suffer from both physical and mental conditions which will cause him to suffer pain, mental distress, emotional distress, and otherwise for the rest of his life.”
LOL Yeah right. and every time he sees a touch he will curl up in a ball and cry.
March 17th, 2009
I doubt very much indeed that it will cost $75 000 for the medical care of his leg, and a replacement media player from Apple. My estimate is more like $5000 at the absolute limit, depending on how greedy the medical professionals and hospital are.
The other $70K must be going to the lawyer and psychiatrist, who clearly want to milk this for all it is worth.