Personal Injuries From E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes entered the market in 2007 and since that time they have only gained in popularity. E-cigarettes are also known as e-cigs and vape pens, and millions of people in the United States are now using them. Even more concerning is that E-cigarettes and vaping have been used by over 5 million middle and high school students.
However, there are substantial injuries that result from “vaping” or e-cigarette usage, beyond that of addiction and the dangers of nicotine. The lithium-ion batteries that are used inside E-cigarettes can explode, which is causing serious injury to many consumers.
Background on E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes became popular a few years ago as an alternative to cigarettes. Many users attempted to use them to quit smoking. However, oftentimes users will not actually quit cigarettes after trying E-cigarettes, but continue to use both products in what is known as “dual-use.”
There are no government regulations regarding these products, that would protect consumers and ensure product safety. Virtually no safety testing has occurred with respect to any of these types of products. In fact, many of these devices are made in China where no control standards exist. With no control standards or safety mechanisms in place to ensure the protection of consumers, catastrophic and permanent injuries are becoming more and more prevalent.
E-Cigarette Explosions
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that hundreds of e-cigarette explosions have occurred, and the number continues to rise. E-cigarette explosions can occur for the following reasons:
- Exploding during actual use, while vaping
- Overheating and exploding while being charged
- Exploding during transport (in pockets, purses, etc.)
When an E-cigarette explodes, the reason is due to the lithium ion battery. Several reasons can make an E-cigarette explode such as if the battery is drained too rapidly, subjected to a short circuit, or overcharged. These scenarios may cause the E-cigarette to overheat leading to an explosion. The battery will vent a hot gas which builds up pressure inside of the e-cigarette casing which then causes an explosion. The force behind an E-cigarette explosion is substantial, and it creates a violent reaction much like a pipe bomb, or a rocket.
Types of Injuries Caused by E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes do not have as many chemicals in them as typical nicotine cigarettes, however, they are still incredibly damaging to a consumer’s lungs. The additional injuries that may be caused by vaping from the device exploding can be even more severe. Some common types of injuries from E-cigarette explosions can include 3rd-degree burns, brain damage, facial injuries, loss of body parts, infection, bone loss, skin loss, jaw and facial damage and smoke inhalation.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you, or someone you love, were injured due to an e-cigarette explosion, you likely suffered significant and serious injuries. Along with medical expenses, you may have been unable to return to work, leading to lost wages. Our experienced Scranton personal injury attorneys can help you determine how to obtain compensation for your injuries. Contact the attorneys at the Needle Law Firm at 570-344-1266 or online today for your free consultation.
Resource:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4683368/
cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html
usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/electronic_cigarettes.pdf
/qualifications-for-expert-witnesses-in-pennsylvania-personal-injury-lawsuits/
