Hewlett Packard Laptop Battery Recall Expanded
Informationweek.com has a report stating that computer maker Hewlett Packard has increased the number of laptop batteries that they are recalling from 70,000 up to 124,000 units. In the original recall, HP had received numerous complaints of batteries overheating and rupturing and following the recall extension, 38 more incidents had been reported.
The report states that in 11 of those cases, the batteries had caused minor bodily harm to users and 31 of those cases caused minor property damage. The faulty batteries had been sold by HP and other electronic retailers between August 2007 and July 2008. The report states consumers will get a replacement battery free of charge.
According to the report, battery recalls are a common occurrence, especially for HP as they had issued recalls between 2005 and 2008. This news report demonstrates that product recalls are not only affecting automakers at a drastic rate but other industries as well. Faulty products are a common occurrence for all industries and the subsequent costs that the companies incur as a result of the recalls could be well over hundreds of millions of dollars over time. However, it is important for companies to make these recalls in order to prevent danger to customers. Although in this case the injuries have been minimal, it does not imply that all incidents will be minor ones. It is always possible for a serious injury to occur regardless of what the faulty product is and the nature of the defects or malfunctions.
For more information on recalls and other product liability issues, visit Solomon & Relihan's Product Liability information page.
