Is the pain worth it?

Apple is known for its innovative technology and smart products. A new lawsuit, however, showcases a design that might not have come initially advertised. Five consumers of the Series 3 smartwatch have filed a class action lawsuit, alleging a defect that causes personal injury. One of the claimants was so severely injured that the broken watch display sliced open a vein. Unfortunately, this is not the first stream of complaints reported. As early as 2015, when the first Apple Watch was introduced to the market, customers have described appearances of burn marks or rashes on their wrists.

By focusing on the attention to materials used and the potential that some of the selected materials may not agree with every individual’s skin sensitivity, the company has responded to these accounts. The most recent lawsuit does not necessarily reference rashes or material, but rather, addresses the restricted breathing room between the chassis and the display, which potentially leads to a swelling battery. In the event the watch battery swells, the display may detach and crack into sharp edges. All five of the claimants in the class action are seeking refunds for their smartwatch purchases.

Within the lawsuit, the claimants are alleging that Apple was fully aware of the possible defect in 2015, prior to its product launch. In order to compensate for this lack of disclosure or willingness to correct the defect, Apple may be required to announce the defect publicly. According to a patent dating back to 2015, Apple noted the possibility that the smartwatch battery may swell. Instead of warning consumers about the potential impact of a swelling battery and how to properly wear the watch or avoid injury, Apple has capitalized on marketing the Series 3’s sleek and thin design. Consumers are left to consider the risks associated with this Apple purchase and wait for the company’s timely response to the class action lawsuit.