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Samsung Galaxy Earbuds Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A New Jersey consumer lodged a class action lawsuit against Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
- Why: The plaintiff claims that a defect in Samsung Galaxy earbuds can cause irritation and even an allergic reaction in users.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.
Samsung Galaxy earbuds are made of a material that can cause users to experience “itching, burning, redness, blistering, flaking, scabbing and/or fluid leaking” from their ears, according to a class action lawsuit filed in New Jersey federal court Thursday.
Lead plaintiff, Cheryl Westerkamp, wants to represent consumers nationwide who purchased Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro headphones. She claims that Samsung knew of the problem, but continued to sell the earbuds anyway.
Westerkamp, a New Jersey resident, says she spent more than $200 on a pair of Samsung Galaxy earbuds in April. She claims that shortly after using the pricey headphones, she began to experience soreness in her ears.
The plaintiff says that, initially, she could not figure out the problem, and she continued using the Samsung Galaxy earbuds, but her ears began “scabbing, flaking, oozing.”
Westerkamp says she stopped using the product in July and contacted the company. She claims she was instructed to spend another $22 on aftermarket foam tips to use with her Samsung Galaxy earbuds; however, the plaintiff claims the tips did not help and she is now left with Samsung Galaxy earbuds and foam tips she cannot use.
Complaints About Allergic Reactions to Samsung Galaxy Earbuds
Samsung Galaxy earbuds have been on the market for months and, prior to their release, the company sold many other in-ear headphones, points out the class action lawsuit.
“Based on the numerous reports in the public domain of the Defect manifesting within days or weeks of regular use, on information and belief, Samsung received calls, communications, correspondence, or warranty claims from consumers regarding the Defect with the Earbuds as early as January 2021,” states the complaint.
Indeed, despite the complaints, Westerkamp says she and other consumers were still able to purchase allegedly defective Samsung Galaxy earbuds months later — paying hundreds of dollars for a product they expected to last many years.
Further, Westerkamp says that she and other Class Members are forced to pay out-of-pocket for any medical treatment they require for allergic reactions to Samsung Galaxy earbuds.
The plaintiff accuses Samsung of fraud and unjust enrichment. She wants the company to reimburse a nationwide Class of consumers, along with a New Jersey subclass, for the purchase of their Samsung Galaxy earbuds. Westercamp also wants Samsung to pay for any out-of-pocket medical costs and the purchase of aftermarket products used in an attempt to alleviate the problems caused by the product.
This is far from the first consumer to complain about Samsung products. The company has faced class action lawsuits for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 defects, 3D Smart TV Capacitors, shattering Galaxy cameras, and leaky remote control batteries.
Have you had any issues with Samsung Galaxy earbuds? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Matthew R. Mendelsohn of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, LLC.
The Samsung Galaxy Earbuds Class Action Lawsuit is Westerkamp v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Case No. 2:21-cv-15639 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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401 thoughts onSamsung Galaxy Earbuds Cause Allergic, Inflammatory Reaction, Claims Class Action
I can’t believe Samsung is still letting people buy these things knowing there is an issue with their earphones. I unfortunately was a victim of this. Wish I saw this article prior to buying. I love Samsung, but they’re beginning to push me away. I’ve never had an Apple anything, but I’m leaning on it now.
Omg..I just searched for anyone who has had problems with buds 2 pro and found this. I am having severe allergic reactions in my ears..blood, oozing liquid, very painful. Now I know why. Please add me as well.
Me too and I already have ezcema on top of that… for the last few weeks I’ve had burning,scabbing,pussing and pain from my ears and don’t know why . I’m scheduling an appt with my dermatologist to see what’s going on.
I was just Googling… “why do my ears itch and hurt when I use my Galaxy buds and this website popped up. Sheesh! This is awful.
I have the itching burning and scabbing from these buds as well
Please include me as well! I have incredible pain when wearing the buds for extended time and it even causes migraines.
I bought the Samsung earbuds less than a month ago, I only wore them for about 25 minutes the first time and my ears were really irritated and started leaking fluid. I didnt wear them for about a week and they got slightly better but were extremely crusty and itchy. I wore them again today and my ears are throbbing, itchy, leaking, and had blood coming out of them. Id say i verified that it is the earbuds causing the issue. I paid $230 for these things and i cant even use them. I need some sort of compensation or a new pair of “fixed” earbuds.
I am from Italy. Do you know any class action in italy? My ears are damaged!
Add me too . My ears always itch with them
Add me!!My ears are itchy and flaky , and i try so many things like cortisone and nothing help!
I am going on year #2 (TWO) of issues with my ears from using these Samsung Earbuds for only a few weeks.
I have returned my earbuds to Samsung (I have pictures of all items returned along with packaging and tracking #) and I have called Samsung numerous times to inquire on a refund. Each time they have a new case number they give to me and each time I’m told that a case manager will contact me shortly. I have NEVER been contacted by anyone at Samsung about this issue and I have NEVER received a refund for the earbuds.
So far I’m out:
$200 for purchase of earbuds that I used for 4 weeks/never have been reimbursed even after returning them 2 years ago. Not even a reject contact.
$300 for doctor visits
$600 for ENT visits
$800 for all of the different medicines that I’ve been prescribed and tried
My ears 2/TWO YEARS LATER are still itchy and flaky and oozy at times
EVERYONE who has purchased these earbuds deserves justice in this situation and I hope that this case is resolved in a way that takes care of all who have suffered from this horrible customer service. Samsung clearly doesn’t care about any of the people that have been effected by their faulty earbuds. Hard to buy any products from that company ever again. Also hard to not speak out at any opportunity against this company.