Apple to Pay Out $20 Million Over Apple Watch Battery Swelling Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

What You Should Know About Apple Paying $20 Million for Apple Watch Battery Swelling Lawsuit

Now, Apple has reached a $20 million settlement that will be paid out over the swelling Apple Watch batteries lawsuit. If you’ve had problems with your Apple Watch or been annoyed with its performance at any point, you may very well find this case of interest. Let’s unpack the situation, what got Apple to this lawsuit and what the company is going to do about it.

What Happened?

The case originated when a number of customers who owned certain Apple Watch models reported that the batteries in their devices were swelling. A swollen battery can cause major issues, such as the face of the watch breaking off from the body and ruining the device or potentially creating a hazard making it not useable. Customers contended that the problem was common to certain models of the Apple Watch and that Apple did not sufficiently warn or do enough to rectify the problem.

An Apple Watch is intended to be a durable and long-lasting device, but the contradictory issues of a battery swelling is a relatively significant issue for users that goes beyond purely that of functionality. In extreme cases, battery swelling may overheat the watch or cause a malfunction, posing a risk to users’ safety. Considering Apple’s reputation for creating high-end products, the notion that a malfunction could happen like this is unsettling for many loyal customers.

How Did the Lawsuit Unfold?

A lawsuit filed in 2020 noted that Apple did not adequately fix problems related to the batteries in some models of the Apple Watch. If you have suffered from this relatively widespread issue you may be interested to know that the plaintiffs involved claim the inflating situation occurred in multiple series of the watch, including Series 2, 3, and 4, leaving many owners feeling frustrated or disappointed by what they believe to be a manufacturing defect.

The problem emerged after users complained that the swelling of the battery was popping the watch’s screen out, ruining the device. The problem may not have posed an immediate safety risk in every case, but it was a significant inconvenience for those who put their faith in the Apple name to deliver a dependable device.

Apple first denied having done anything wrong, and insisted that batteries swelling wasn’t a widespread problem. But the lawsuit ballooned over time, as more and more customers emerged to share their encounters with the ever-growing problem.

The Settlement: What Does It All Mean?

Following drawn-out legal proceedings, Apple has agreed to settle the case for $20 million. These funds will be distributed to impacted customers, with the goal of compensating them for the trouble and harm caused by the settlement. The company did not admit to any wrongdoing, but agreed to pay the settlement in order to avoid large legal fees and damage to its reputation.

Money from the fund will go toward compensating those who've suffered battery swelling in their Apple Watches, with amounts that reflect the cost of repairs or replacements, or even a partial refund, depending on circumstances. Besides compensation, Apple plans to enhance its quality control processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

What To Do If You’re Impacted?

If you’ve had your Apple Watch’s battery swell, you might be entitled to a payout under this settlement. You’ll have to file a claim, including proof of purchase and any relevant documents regarding the problem. Although Apple does not admit to any wrongdoing here, the settlement should act as at least some recompense for a defect that deals with rather annoying issues.

Apple has also pledger to make sure that future models of the Apple Watch do not suffer from similar battery issues. So, if you’re considering an upgrade to a new model, you might want to watch how the company addresses quality control going forward.

Why Does This Matter?

This suit and settlement is significant because now even the big plays like Apple are suffering the consequences of their product failing to live up to the hype. For consumers, it puts some teeth into the idea that we’re entitled to something if we buy it and companies don’t live up to the promises they make.

It also offers insights into the problems that may crop up with tech products as they age. All well known brands do sometimes glitch or show defects. As consumers, it’s important to be informed, understand your rights and take action when something goes wrong.

Conclusion

Apple Watch battery swelling giveaway worth $20 million settlement may not erase what customers offered about this, but there is no doubt that companies must be held accountable for the quality of their products. While you have until restoration deadline in 2020 to keep in files, if you’ve been impacted, now is the time to consider making a claim – and get compensated for your trouble. At the same time, this case also is a reminder that all products have the potential to be imperfect, and we all need to remain vigilant with potential defects with the devices we depend on every day.

However, given that Apple remains at the top of the tech industry, this settlement truly is only the first step in what may be a long process for the company in an effort to improve quality and satisfaction.