Nationwide General Insurance Company has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics America, Inc., alleging that a defect in one of Samsung’s products caused a fire that resulted in significant property damage. The complaint was filed on December 12, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Nationwide, acting as subrogee for Brian and Keri Owen, is seeking damages exceeding $653,120.11 from Samsung.
The case centers around a smart range model NES8F9710WS/AA manufactured by Samsung. According to the complaint, Brian and Keri Owen purchased this range new in 2018. On December 31, 2022, a fire broke out at their residence in Zebulon, North Carolina, allegedly originating from the range due to an inadvertent activation of its control knobs. The Owens’ daughter discovered smoke upon arriving home and promptly alerted the fire department. Firefighters confirmed that the fire started at the range and were recorded turning off its knob.
Nationwide claims that the design defect in the range’s control knobs allowed for accidental activation through a single motion without requiring deliberate action such as pushing before turning. This defect was reportedly known to Samsung but not disclosed to consumers. Furthermore, it is alleged that over 250 similar incidents have occurred nationwide involving unintended activations of Samsung ranges.
The plaintiff accuses Samsung of negligence for failing to design safer control mechanisms and not providing adequate warnings about potential hazards associated with their product. They argue that alternative designs existed which could have prevented such accidents by incorporating dual-action controls or recessed knobs.
Nationwide is pursuing several claims against Samsung including negligence, failure to warn under N.C. Gen. Stat §99B-5, breach of implied warranty for fitness for a particular purpose, and breach of implied warranty of merchantability under N.C. Gen Stat §25-2-314. They assert that these breaches directly led to substantial damage to the Owens’ property and additional living expenses incurred during repairs.
The insurance company seeks compensation beyond $653,120.11 along with interest costs and attorney fees allowable by law while also requesting any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Nationwide General Insurance Company is attorney Angela P Mason from Cozen O’Connor located at Charlotte North Carolina; no information regarding defense counsel was provided within this document nor details about judges involved except mentioning Case ID: 4:25-cv-00226-D
Source: 425cv00226_Nationwide_General_Insurance_Company_v_Samsung_Electronics_America_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_North_Carolina.pdf
