Phone shock, screen smash. Am I liable?

Frankyb123

While charging my Sony xz I get a small shock from the rear cover. It was hardly noticeable and early on I thought it may have been a feature of the phone. But last week it surprised me with a big one and I dropped the phone, cracking the screen. I don't think I should be liable for the damage and I feel Vodafone should properly investigate and repair or replace without charge. As it happens they won't even check the phone properly unless I pay to replace the screen at the same time. What are my rights? I would massively appreciate any help, hints or tips.

Thanks in advance 👍

powerful_Rogue

Frankyb123 wrote: »

While charging my Sony xz I get a small shock from the rear cover. It was hardly noticeable and early on I thought it may have been a feature of the phone. But last week it surprised me with a big one and I dropped the phone, cracking the screen. I don't think I should be liable for the damage and I feel Vodafone should properly investigate and repair or replace without charge. As it happens they won't even check the phone properly unless I pay to replace the screen at the same time. What are my rights? I would massively appreciate any help, hints or tips.

Thanks in advance 👍

That was the time to get it investigated. Instead you ignored it.

How old is the phone?

Fosterdog

Is it a metal cased phone? It's quite common for metal framed electrical appliances to transmit a static charge while plugged in, I see it all the time in laptops. Not everyone would get a shock from it, it's the same as when you get a static shock if you touch a shopping trolley, or another person, everyone is affected differently. Some people get several shocks a day and others only once a year.

If you were concerned at it has happened previously why didn't you take it back to the seller sooner? Why wait until the screen has smashed if you genuinely believed it was faulty?

It would be like buying a new car and noticing the tyre has a bald patch but still driving it until you have a blowout and crash and then blaming the seller.

Regardless of what lead up to it, you dropped the phone and it was you dropping it that caused the screen to smash.

TadleyBaggie

More likely the charger is unearthed (by design) but may have a fault. Is it the official charger or a 3rd party one? Unlikely to be caused by the phone itself.

Google "electric shock from phone" and you will see how common an issue it is.

Frankyb123

TadleyBaggie
I use the official Sony charger and cable but have tried other combinations and it still happens.

Fosterdog
Metal rear case to the phone. I actually thought it was hepatic feedback until the shock and drop and I went into store the next day..

powerful_Rogue
Didn't ignore, I just failed to realise there was a problem until it was too late. I've had the phone around 3 months although it is last years model.

bris

You have practically no chance, the phone is smashed and all they will see is that, your story will be ignored.

societys_child

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

More likely the charger is unearthed (by design) but may have a fault. Is it the official charger or a 3rd party one? Unlikely to be caused by the phone itself.

Google "electric shock from phone" and you will see how common an issue it is.

From a 5v 2amp charger?

TadleyBaggie

societys_child wrote: »

From a 5v 2amp charger?

Yes, if the charger is not earthed, although the voltage being supplied is 5V across the output it might be considerably higher when measured to earth.