Samsung Phone Battery Lawsuit Alleges Thermal Runaway Caused Severe Burns

Incidents involving similar thermal runaway events continue to raise concerns about malfunctioning batteries in popular consumer products, which have been linked to burn injuries and property damage.

A Florida woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging that a Samsung smartphone’s lithium-ion battery malfunctioned due to a dangerous defect, causing it to enter thermal runaway and inflict severe burn injuries.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Jennifer Kravchuck in Florida Circuit Court on February 26, naming Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and T-Mobile USA Inc. as defendants. It was later removed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on April 3.

Kravchuck alleges the defendants failed to design a safe product or provide adequate warnings about the risk of overheating and combustion, despite the foreseeable danger posed by lithium-ion battery failures.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in smartphones and other portable electronics due to their high energy density and rechargeability. However, when defective or damaged, these batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that causes rapid overheating, fire or explosion, often without warning.

Thermal runaway events can be triggered by internal short circuits, manufacturing defects or inadequate thermal management systems. Once initiated, the reaction can escalate quickly, leading to intense heat, fire and the release of flammable gases.

Samsung Phone Battery Defect Allegations

According to the complaint, Kravchuck suffered a severe burn injury when her Samsung smartphone experienced a battery failure, resulting in the thermal runaway event. The incident reportedly caused the device to overheat rapidly, leading to a significant burn to Kravchuck’s abdomen that required medical treatment.

The lawsuit indicates that the phone was being used in a normal and intended manner at the time of the incident, with no warning that it posed a risk of overheating or combustion. 

The lawsuit alleges that Samsung Electronics America and T-Mobile USA sold and distributed a defective product, asserting that the lithium-ion battery was prone to overheating and failure due to design or manufacturing defects. The complaint further claims the defendants failed to adequately test the device or provide sufficient warnings about the risk of thermal runaway and burn injuries.

“The device was defective in its design because the lithium-ion battery and thermal management systems were inherently unstable and prone to thermal runaway, creating a foreseeable risk of catastrophic overheating and severe burn injury that outweighed any utility of the product’s design.”

— Jennifer Kravchuck v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al

Kravchuck raises allegations of strict products liability, negligence and breach of implied warranty. She is seeking damages for her injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, permanent disfigurement and medical expenses.

Lithium-Ion Battery Lawsuits

As similar incidents continue to be reported involving lithium-ion batteries in consumer devices, product liability lawyers are reviewing potential claims for individuals who suffered burn injuries or property damage linked to battery malfunctions.

A growing number of heated insole lawsuits over rechargeable foot warmers allege that defective lithium-ion batteries in those products may overheat, ignite or explode during normal use, causing serious burn injuries and fire hazards. In several cases, consumers claim the products failed while being worn or charged, resulting in painful injuries to the feet and lower extremities.

Similar allegations have been raised in lawsuits involving portable power banks sold through major online retailers, where defective battery packs have been linked to house fires and significant property damage. Plaintiffs claim the devices contained unsafe battery cells or lacked proper safeguards to prevent overheating during charging or regular use.

In addition, vape battery explosion lawsuits have been filed by individuals who suffered catastrophic injuries when e-cigarette batteries allegedly failed without warning. These incidents often involve thermal runaway events that cause the devices to explode in pockets or hands, leading to severe burns, disfigurement and, in some cases, permanent disability.

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