E-M5 tripod socket damage

This is correct. The entire tripod bushing came out, it was physically torn from the base plate. That is the main reason I don't think I caused it, I never used so much force on my camera (unless it is very weak, which is why I am asking about the QR plate). I had it positioned correctly on the thread at the time this occurred, and was only spinning it to try and get it on, then off when it  seemed something was wrong. Eventually I realized it was just spinning freely, and kept spinning it until it came off, which in this case meant the buching seperated from the camera.

I suspect the bulge in the metal may have been there when I received it. I remeber looking at the bulge many times thinking "I wonder why they designed the camera like that?." However, I am not completely sure. But it definitely was like that well before it actually broke, and I can't recalll causing any impact to the camera.