Samsung customers have filed legal papers against the firm after their washing machines exploded.

The legal warning adds pressure to company bosses already reeling from a global recall of its Note 7 smartphone.

Talks are being conducted between the South Korean technology giant and a US safety watchdog over the problem.

Certain top-load washing machines made between March 2011 and April 2016 were affected by the defect which cause explosions.

Mother Melissa Thaxton, from Paulding County, Georgia, said the sound her washing machine made was 'like a bomb going off'. Her four-year-old son was near the washing machine when the explosion was heard.

'She said: 'I just remember covering my head and leaning over towards my son...and just screaming this scream that I didn't even know I could scream.

Her lawyer said Thaxton would be sue Samsung after a support rod became unfastened during the spin cycle.

Customers in Texas and Indiana have all said their washing machines have exploded.

On Samsung's website, the company said: 'In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items.'

The company said consumers with affected models should use the lower speed delicate cycle when washing those materials.

Samsung did not name the models but asked customers to go to their website for more information.

A company spokesman said models sold outside North America are not affected by the issue.

Samsung is also facing a lawsuit from other US customers who said their machines 'explode during normal use'.

Earlier this month the world's top smartphone maker, announced a global recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in 10 markets due to faulty batteries causing some phones to catch fire.

The recall comes at a crucial moment in Samsung's mobile business when Apple has launched its new iPhone.

Samsung said there had been 35 incidents of Note 7s catching fire or exploding. There have been no reports of injuries related to the problem.

US aviation safety officials have warned airline passengers not to turn on or charge a Note 7 phone during flights following numerous reports of the devices catching fire.