The registration period for DV2018 begins at noon on October 4, 2016, Eastern Daylight Time (“EDT”) and runs through noon, on November 7, 2016, EDT.  For DV2018, the Department of State will conduct the program entirely electronically.  Each entrant will make his or her submission on line. No paper applications will be accepted.

Each successful registrant will receive an entry confirmation number and can periodically check on line to learn if he or she has been selected.  To combat fraud, the Department will not use e-mail nor paper notice of DV selection.   Entrants make their submissions and check submission status at dvlottery.state.gov.  Only one entry for each person can be made in each year’s DV program.

Ineligible countries for DV2018 are: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (but not Northen Ireland), and Vietnam.  Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are eligible.

Consumers were advised to immediately stop using the phones and power them down. These pertain to all Galaxy Note 7 phones purchased prior to September 2016. The manufacturer is reportedly offering free of charge a new Galaxy Note 7 with a different battery, or alternatively a full refund or a different replacement device.

As CNNMoney reported, this has left a lot of users in an odd place. That’s because many stores don’t have enough replacement devices yet. On the one hand, customers like their phones and certain features – like the stylus that allows them to copy-and-paste. The store offered them a “loaner” phone until it could get a replacement Note 7, but that loaner lacked many of the same features as the newer model. Some customers opined on Twitter that it would great if they could get a new phone that “doesn’t double as a hand grenade.” Another user stated that leaving his Note 7 on the charger each night, “Makes me appreciate each day like it might be my last.” 

Joking aside, these devices reportedly have the potential to cause some real damage and serious personal injury.

The defective battery issue was reportedly acknowledged by the firm just a few weeks prior to the issuance of the formal recall. The devices were first unveiled in mid-August, though it became clear not long after there were major problems, despite mostly positive reviews on its design, battery life, speed and features. Soon after, social media began trending with reports, images and videos of the phones exploding or catching fire.

A recall like this is especially troubling because smart phones have become such an integral part of our everyday lives. They are with us almost everywhere we go – and even by our bedside tables at night. The Pew Research Center reported in 2015 that nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults have a smartphone, which is double the 35 percent who said they had a smartphone in 2011. In certain groups, it’s even higher. For example, among those 18- to 29-years-old, 86 percent have a smartphone. The same is true of 83 percent of those between the ages of 30 and 49. Among those earning $75,000 or more annually, 87 percent have a smartphone. These groups are also the most likely to have the newest, latest model of smart phone and are probably more at-risk for dangers like this.

These statics are only expected to grow.

Samsung phones are manufactured in China, South Korea and New Jersey and have been sold at stores nationwide and online for between $850 and $890.

As our Miami defective product attorneys know, there have been a few reported cases of cell phones causing injury to consumers, including phones connected to this recall. There was a report just a few weeks ago that included an injury to a 6-year-old boy in Brooklyn, NY who was playing with a phone given to him by his grandfather. Although it was not a Note 7, it was reportedly still a Samsung phone. The phone reportedly suddenly burst into flames.

In St. Petersburg, FL, a social media user reported his Jeep was engulfed in flames in his driveway when a Note 7 exploded.

And in Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Post reports, a man was reportedly hospitalized when the Samsung Note 7 phone he was carrying in his pocket exploded.

If you have been injured by a defective product, call Chalik & Chalik at (954) 476-1000 or 1 (800) 873-9040.

Additional Resources:

Government Recall Issued for Samsung Note7 Over Battery Fire Hazard, Sept. 15, 2016, By Paul Blake, ABC News

More Blog Entries:

Safeco Ins. Co. v. Fridman – Proving Wage Loss Damages After Car Accident, Aug. 22, 2016, Miami Defective Product Lawyer Blog

By: Giulia Frasca, Esq.
April 2, 2015 is the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day. Organizations around the world are celebrating with fundraising events and events to raise awareness. Within the last decade, research has led to the discovery of new information regarding autism. See some of these discoveries below:

• Autism’s prevalence has soared within the last ten years. Ten years ago, autism was diagnosed in approximately 1 in 166 children. Today, it has increased more than 100% as it is prevalent in 1 out of 68 children.

• Direct screening of children indicates that autism may be more widespread than current statistics suggest.
  Autism Speaks, an organization founded ten years ago to raise awareness and funding for research into Autism studies conducted a study in South Korea where it screened children in South Korean schools. The study concluded that 1 in 38 children were affected by Autism. The majority of the children were previously undiagnosed. A similar study is currently being worked on in conjunction with the CDC in the United States.

• Early intervention makes a difference. It is now possible to have an Autism diagnosis by age 2. Early screening is important so that services can be administered. Early intervention affects underlying brain development and activity and may also reduce the need for interventions later in life.

• Behavioral therapy for autism may be essential. Behavioral issues may be present in a child diagnosed with Autism. Behavioral therapy can have significant benefits in the development of a student with Autism. Health coverage for behavioral treatments is now available in 38 states. Many families can now benefit from behavioral treatment for children diagnosed with Autism.

• One out of three persons diagnosed with Autism cannot speak. Assistive technology is necessary for one third of persons diagnosed with Autism to be able to communicate. These devices can be very expensive. Efforts are underway to help obtain insurance coverage for such necessary devices.

• It is possible for a nonverbal child diagnosed with Autism to eventually speak. Appropriate services and therapy can make it possible for a nonverbal child with Autism to speak. It is important to communicate with the school district and providers regarding the child’s needs and to obtain evaluations to determine the needs of the child.

• Many children with Autism suffer from gastrointestinal issues. Gastrointestinal issues and allergies to foods are common in children with Autism. The pain that results can exacerbate behavioral issues. It is important to understand the child’s gastrointestinal issues and make others who work with the child aware so that the issues can properly be managed, for example, following gluten- free or lactose-free diet.

• Children with Autism often have trouble sleeping. Any trouble sleeping or sleep disturbances should be discussed with the child’s doctor so that interventions can be taken. The information should then be relayed to the school if the child is school-aged so that an appropriate program can be provided, such as planning instruction in the morning if the child gets sleepy in the afternoon.

Identifying the best services for someone with special needs can be daunting. We can help you navigate the system, understand your child’s legal rights, and establish the financial foundation that will enable as much independence as possible. Our goal is to empower families with the tools they need to advocate for their loved ones—for a free and appropriate education, public benefits, and social services.

Learn more about our special needs planning and special education advocacy services at www.littmankrooks.com or www.specialneedsnewyork.com.

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