Over at Endgadget, I found this interesting post, that I couldn’t ignore. Imagine your personal media player, does something untoward, and resets while you are using it, and emits an ear piercing, literally, signal that damages your hearing permanently. Sounds far fetched doesn’t it. Obviously not an everyday occurrence, but it seems that it has happened to at least one person, and it seems that at least one lawyer is interested in pursuing the case for damages!

Now I can’t say one way or another, that this is legitimate, but the website exists and the effects of said malfunction would seem to be rather devastating.

My Experience with the Microsoft Zune

In November of 2006, I received an electric shock through the earbuds of my Microsoft Zune. Simultaneously, the Zune software reset and emitted a very loud noise through the earbuds.
Since the incident, I’ve suffered blood and fluid leakage from my ear canal, impaired hearing, and incessant ringing and discomfort.
I’ve been treated with vitamins, steroids, pain killers, sleep aids, anti-depressants, and other medications. All, to no avail.

Does it warrant a class action?

Microsoft’s Response

I notified Microsoft of the problem and promptly received a phone call from Jaret Rettell of Microsoft Zune Escalations. Jaret stated that he was reviewing "a number of similar complaints." He asked me to return the device for replacement and authorize the release of my medical records to Microsoft. Please, would you?
After eleven months of unsuccessful medical treatment, I filed a personal injury/product liability lawsuit against Microsoft.
In initial disclosures, Microsoft denied receiving the "similar complaints" Jaret Rettell previously admitted to. Further, efforts to solicit responses’ in the Zune forums were thwarted by a "cease & desist" letter. My posts were deleted and membership revoked.

Have a look at the website, Microsoft Zune Injuries, it’s the first time I’ve ever come across something like this, and I think we’ll see more of it, in the future, shame we can’t see evidence of the other

Since so many other similar incidents have been reported on the web,

I don’t know, what do you think?

Microsoft Zune Injuries