E-Cigarette Injury Lawsuit
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has become extremely popular in the last decade, particularly among young people. Smoking e-cigs has come to be known as “vaping” (short for vaporizing) in popular culture. This is because smoking electronic cigarettes involves inhaling nicotine vapor as opposed to tobacco smoke. Vaping has been touted as a healthier way to enjoy the effects of nicotine than traditional smoking, which comes with many health risks, including lung cancer and emphysema. But, is vaping really that much safer than smoking?
Electronic Cigarette Injuries
Recent studies have indicated that vaping can harm lung tissue and that many of the liquid compounds (“juices”) that produce e-cig vapor contain formaldehyde and other cancer causing chemicals. Just recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) got involved, making it illegal to sell vaping materials to children under the age of 18.
Because portable vaping devices use lithium ion batteries to power the heating element that creates the vapor, they have been known to explode and catch fire.
If you have used e-cigs or any other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and have experienced any adverse health effects, you may have grounds for a personal injury or defective product claim. But, the manufacture and sale of ENDS and associated products is a big business. Financial forecasters expect the market for vaporizing products will reach $10 billion by the end of 2018. Filing a successful claim against such a large and growing industry will not be easy. To have a successful claim, you’ll need the representation a Jacksonville e-cig injury lawyer. The legal team at the Florida based law offices of Farah & Farah has been successfully representing injury victims for over 35 years. Let us put our knowledge and experience behind your claim and get you the settlement you deserve. Call 866-750-1393 today for a free consultation.
The Problem of Vaping Fires and Explosions
While the jury may still be out about the health risks of vaping itself, there is no doubt about the dangers of the devices used in vaping. Because portable vaping devices use lithium ion batteries to power the heating element that creates the vapor, they have been known to explode and catch fire. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), investigated 25 media reported cases of ENDS explosions between 2009 and 2014 and found that most of the explosions occurred while the device was charging, but some occurred while a device was actively being used.
For example, a California woman was charging her e-cig in her car when it exploded and her dress caught on fire, severely burning her. She filed a lawsuit against the device’s manufacturer and a jury awarded her $1.9 million in damages. In another situation, a vaping device caught fire while a man was carrying it in his pocket, setting his pants on fire and burning him. You can see a surveillance camera video of this occurring here:
Injuries from Vaping Fires and Explosions
Since the first vaping device was put on the market in 2007, injuries related to explosions and burns have been a constant issue. In 2015, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) even banned carrying vape pens in checked bagged out of fear of explosions. Here are some of the injuries commonly reported in relation to c-cig device fires and explosions:
- First, second, and third degree burns (many occurring on the face)
- Hot oil burns
- Broken, shattered, and lost teeth
- Broken neck
- Broken facial bones
- Tongue burns and partial loss of tongue
- Smoke inhalation
- Burns to the cornea
- Facial lacerations and punctures
- Shrapnel wounds (from parts of the exploding vaping device)
- Partial loss of fingers
Who Can Be Held Liable For a Vaping Injury in Florida?
As with any other product liability injury claim, several parties can be held liable for injuries caused by a vaping device. A dedicated Jacksonville product liability attorney will be able to investigate the cause of your injuries and determine what parties may be at-fault. Who can be held liable for your vaping-related injuries may include:
- The device’s designer
- The device’s manufacturer
- The manufacturer of part of the device (such as the battery or the charger)
- The wholesaler of the device
- The retail outlet that sold you the device
- The party in charge of marketing the device if they failed to provide adequate safety warnings and instructions for use
- The person using the device (in several cases, an innocent bystander has been injured by a vaping device that exploded or caught fire)
Contact Farah & Farah’s Jacksonville E-Cig Injury Lawyers Today
If you have been injured by a vaping device, you’re likely facing mounting medical bills for dental work, skin grafts, and reconstructive surgeries, in addition lost wages from the work you missed. To recover these losses, you’ll need to find a product liability attorney who is familiar with personal injury law. The legal team at Farah & Farah has helped injury victims secure compensation for damages since 1979. Call us at 866-750-1393 for a free consultation.
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