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A class action lawsuit says Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphones are not water-resistant, despite a national advertising campaign that states otherwise.
Plaintiff Dulce Alondra Velasquez-Reyes claims Samsung’s energetic efforts to promote its Galaxy S7 line of phones are based on a false and deceptive representation that those phones are water-resistant.
She claims these phones are actually vulnerable to being damaged and disabled upon exposure to water.
According to the Samsung class action lawsuit, Samsung specifically represents that its Galaxy S7 line of phones are “water resistant up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.”
On the company’s website, Velasquez-Reyes says Samsung claims that Galaxy S7 Phones “repel spills, splashes and even dunks so you won’t be putting all your hopes in a pathetic bowl of rice” – referring to the practice of using uncooked rice to remove water from a water-damaged phone.
A Samsung advertising campaign allegedly makes the point more colorfully, depicting persons “dunking Galaxy S7 phones in fish tanks, spraying Galaxy S7 phones with jets of water and dousing them with champagne, and holding the phones while kayaking through river rapids and surfing in the ocean.”
Velasquez-Reyes says these advertisements are misleading and false. She claims many phones from Samsung’s Galaxy S7 line have been damaged because of exposure to water.
She also directly challenges aspects of the phones’ design. Samsung does not apply a water-resistant coating to the Galaxy S7’s circuit board, even though such a coating is available, she alleges.
The plaintiff also points out that Samsung installs moisture-detection stickers inside the phone that change color when exposed to moisture, so that Samsung technicians can tell if water has gotten inside the phone. She argues Samsung’s use of these stickers shows that the phones are not actually water-resistant.
Velasquez-Reyes says she bought her own Samsung Galaxy S7 phone in May 2016. She claims Samsung’s representations that the phone was water-resistant were essential to her decision to purchase that particular phone.
But about two months later, Velasquez-Reyes says she dropped her phone in a toilet and pulled it out after about 10 seconds in the water. She claims to have wiped it dry with a shirt, then pressed the home button to start it up.
The phone functioned for a few seconds, then shut down, she alleges. After a few more attempts at starting the phone, she says it would not start at all. She claims Samsung later refused to repair or replace her phone after it was submerged.
Velasquez-Reyes seeks to represent a nationwide plaintiff Class consisting of “[a]ll individuals in the United States who purchased a new Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge or Galaxy S7 Active cellular phone.” She also proposes to represent a California subclass consisting of all Class Members in that state.
She seeks an award of damages, restitution, court costs and attorneys’ fees, with pre- and post-judgment interest. She also seeks equitable, injunctive and declaratory relief as appropriate.
Plaintiff’s counsel are attorneys Daniel C. Girard, Jordan Elias and Simon S. Grille of Girard Gibbs LLP.
The Samsung Galaxy “Water-Resistant” Class Action Lawsuit is Velasquez-Reyes v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., Case No. 5:16-cv-01953, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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74 thoughts onSamsung Class Action Says Galaxy S7 Phones Aren’t Water-Resistant
What was the outcome on this and if not settled yet I would like to be added to this. My phone was splashed, not even submerged
The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!
Is there a lawsuit like this for the Note 8
Interested in joining this lawsuit. Purchased a Samsung S7 for 700 and less than 24 hours later, the phone got wet in a few inches of water for less than 30 seconds. This ruined the selfie camera and AT &T would not help. They said the moisture stick had turned pink. They told me to call Samsung, which I did. Samsung said they couldn’t “guarantee” that the phone was only put in a few inches of water. I also emailed them – no response. The warranty is garbage and the advertising at the time (phone being placed in a fish tank by Lil Wayne) is completely bogus. My last words were, “When there is a class action law suit for your false advertising, I will be sure to join”.
Is anyone getting any replies regarding getting added to this class action lawsuit? I myself would like to get on but the article doesn’t provide a means or link to do so. I use my phone for work daily and now I’m missing calls and losing money. The difference with my situation is that the first time my phone went under water, it worked just fine. It wasn’t until I had to replace a broken camera lens (which by the way also isn’t covered under warranty) and they had to replace the entire backing.. not just the lens, the WHOLE backing. Now when falling water a 2nd time, it has water damage and won’t turn on. Hmmmm… could it be they themselves at the service center ruined my water tight seal? They still turn a blind eye and won’t cover it. They don’t cover ANYTHING! I’m ready to switch to an iPhone.. at least they back up their product. Get me on this class action lawsuit please.
I was going to buy the S6 but chose the S7 with a $700 price tag, because it was supposed to be water resistant. Though the AT&T salesman said waterproof.
Add me, please
Please help same problem. I would like to be a part of this class action lawsuit. I was misled by their commercials and their lies Samsung will not admit that they let us to believe something their phones are not. Samsung will not help me with my phone and AT&T while my phone is still under warranty will not help me either. I spent a lot for this phone I did not go swimming with it but it was dropped in water for only a few seconds and now I am facing buying a new phone for $700 this is crazy my phone is under warranty and I did nothing that Samsung said I could not do
Exact same thing happened to me!
I have the problem. My S7 Edge fell into the pool for only a few seconds. At first it was making strange sounds and I thought oh what could be wrong after all I bought this phone because they showed people in the commercials that I saved from YouTube swimming with them. I wasn’t swimming like I said I just dropped it in by mistake as it slipped out of my hand it did not hit the pool there are no cracks in it and yet my phone is destroyed. I called AT&T my provider my phone is still under warranty and they will not replace it. I called Samsung and they say they will not replace it either. This is false advertisement I do have insurance on my phone but the deductible is what I have to pay now when I am already still paying on this phone. I’m upset that I was lied to. I am upset that the commercials are misleading and lead us to believe that these phones can be submerged or accidentally dropped without a problem in water I plan to talk with the BBB for a complaint and consumer affairs and I am also speaking with you. I never get good service I never have reception and now I have a broken phone that I have to pay for something that they are lying about I am very interested in this case thank you please contact me that your earliest convenience
Where can I sign up for this class action lawsuit. No Cracks in phone, went in 3 ft pool for about 2-5 minutes with phone in my pocket. bubble inside of camera, phone dose not charge or cut on.
I would like to make a claim. on the Samsung S7 active.
How can I make a claim or get in on this Samsung S7 lawsuit?
How do I get in on the Samsung S7 cell phone lawsuit?