14 DAY TRIAL // iPhone owner Xai Thao and insurance firm State Farm are going to war against Cupertino-based tech giant after an iPhone 4s allegedly caught fire and burned down the woman’s house.
The incident occurred in 2016, according to court documents, with Thao, who is listed as co-complainant in this lawsuit, claiming that she purchased the brand-new iPhone in 2014.
The insurance firm conducted its own investigation and determined that overheating and internal shorting caused the iPhone 4s to fail and lead to a fire in the battery compartment, eventually setting the house located in the St. Croix County east of Minneapolis, Minn. on fire and causing damages worth $75,000.
Thao claims the iPhone she purchased was in new condition and no modifications or repairs were made in the meantime, pointing out that the device was the source of the fire.
“Based upon information known at this time, there were no other potential fire sources in the area of origin of the fire,” the court documents read. “Further, preliminary investigations indicate that the heating event originated within the internal battery area of the iPhone and that the damage to the iPhone’s battery was not caused by fire attack.”
“Apple’s negligence” at fault
State Farm was required to cover part of the damages according to the insurance policy, while Thao says that she also had to pay for some of the repairs that weren’t covered by the insurance plan, with both now suing Apple and requesting unspecified damages.
“As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s negligence in the design, manufacture and/or sale of the iPhone, Thao sustained damage to her personal property. State Farm Fire and Casualty Company and Xai Thao demand judgment against Apple Incorporated in an amount to be determined, plus prejudgment interest, all taxable costs, fees and disbursements and all other just and equitable relief.”
Apple has not issued a statement on this lawsuit, and we don’t expect any information coming from Cupertino in this regard, as the company typically handles these cases behind the closed doors.