- A group of Apple Watch customers have filed a class action lawsuit against Apple.
- It is alleged that Apple did not leave enough room to compensate for a battery failure that breaks the screen.
- A plaintiff alleged that his Apple Watch screen came off and cut open his arm, cutting a vein.
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A group of Apple Watch owners are initiating a class action lawsuit against Apple claiming they knew of a defect that is causing some Apple Watches to break.
Plaintiffs allege that while Apple knew that the batteries in Apple Watches could suddenly swell, it didn’t leave enough room to prevent swollen batteries from pressing the screen, cracking or shattering it to reveal “razor-sharp edges”.
One of the plaintiffs, Chris Smith, was given a Series 3 aluminum Apple Watch by his mother in 2017, according to the lawsuit. Three years later, while driving a golf cart, he reached down – unaware that his Apple Watch had come off – and cut himself “severely” in his arm, which severed a vein, the lawsuit said.
Smith tried to claim the watch under warranty but was turned down by Apple, the lawsuit said. It is also said that he has been advised that the watch will not be eligible for Apple’s screen replacement program for Apple Series 2 and 3 aluminum watches.
Smith is the only one of the five plaintiffs listed on the lawsuit who alleged bodily harm as a result of the deficiency. The others said they would not have bought the watch if they knew about the defect.
The lawsuit extends to all Apple Watch models with the exception of the latest generation, the Apple Watch Series 7.
Plaintiffs allege Apple knew of the defect, citing a 2015 patent that mentioned the possibility that the battery could swell, causing “physical damage to the device.” They also cited complaints on Apple’s online support communities forum.
Apple declined to comment when contacted by Insider.
This is not the first time a customer has taken legal action against Apple over an allegedly swollen battery. A New Jersey woman filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Apple in 2019. In the lawsuit, she alleged that her Apple Watch Series 3 screen peeled off the main body of the watch and cracked after the battery swelled.
Macrumors reported in 2018 that Apple knew of a battery source error. It added that the company has issued a worldwide policy that entitles some Apple Watch Series 2 devices for free repairs for up to three years after purchase.
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