Man blames Motorola for exploding cell phone

MORGANTOWN - A Monongalia County man seeks $75,000 from Motorola after his cell phone exploded in his hand.

Howard William Goff filed a suit in Monongalia Circuit Court against Motorola Communication and Electronics, the manufacturer of his phone.

According to the suit, Goff placed his phone on the charger at about 12:30 or 1 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2006. At about 2:30 a.m., his mother hear a popping noise and woke Goff up.

"(Goff) approached the room where the phone was located and upon picking up the Motorola phone it exploded while in his hand," the suit says.

Goff claims a defect in the phone or the battery caused the explosion. He also claims he suffered second-degree burns on his stomach from the phone exploding.

As a result of the explosion, Goff seeks $75,000 to cover property damages, physical injuries, permanent injuries, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and medical bills.

J. Bryan Edwards in representing Goff.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number 07-C-265