Fitbit Inc. now faces a class-action lawsuit over rashes caused by the Fitbit Force Fitness Tracker device. The company has recalled the wristbands after about 2 percent of Force users reported an irritation. But Jim Spivey, a 49-year-old aviation teacher, filed the lawsuit because he feels Fitbit did not do enough to alert consumers about […]
Fitbit Inc. now faces a class-action lawsuit over rashes caused by the Fitbit Force Fitness Tracker device. The company has recalled the wristbands after about 2 percent of Force users reported an irritation.
But Jim Spivey, a 49-year-old aviation teacher, filed the lawsuit because he feels Fitbit did not do enough to alert consumers about possible injuries, Tech Crunch.com reports. “I have a concern that there is still a risk of developing an injury for me and others,” said Spivey, who to date has not developed a skin irritation. The class-action lawsuit asks that Fitbit contact every Force owner in California and arrange to refund the $130 cost of the Force along with tax and shipping fees.
Earlier this month, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of more than a million Force trackers in the U.S. and Canada because of the potential skin reaction. The recall involves Fitbit Force wireless activity-tracking wristbands with model numbers FB402BK, FB402BKS, FB402SL and FB402SLS. The wristband operates as a pedometer, sleep monitor, and watch and has a small LED display screen. The model number is on the back, below the charging port. According to the CPSC, the firm has received about 9,900 reports of the wristband causing skin irritation and about 250 reports of blistering.
The Fitbit was sold from October 2013 to February 2014 at AT&T, Best Buy, Brookstone, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Radio Shack, REI, Sports Authority, Target and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com and Fitbit.com.
Fitbit is offering a full refund for the Force and will provide a free shipping kit. The company has emailed all registered Fitbit owners about the recall. Fitbit can be reached toll-free at 888.656.6381 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time daily or online at www.fitbit.com for more information.