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More people were admitted this week with injuries caused by dangerous and malfunctioning e-cigarettes, a product commonly known as a “vaping pen.”
The most common causes of injuries are explosions. Such injuries include burns and scarring.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration alerted consumers towards the end of 2017 that, although explosions from vapes may “look relatively rare,” they are extremely dangerous. The agency stated that even though the causes of these incidents are not fully known, there is evidence suggesting that some battery-related issues may have contributed to or caused them.
The agency does not even record the number of cases that arise or monitor the sale.
In a study published in the BMJ it was documented that in America, nearly 2,050 burn injuries of e-cigarettes had been treated within hospitals over the course of two years. Experts found that far more serious injuries were occurring than had been initially reported. They called for more strict regulation and surveillance of these products.
E-Cigarette Product Liability Lawsuits: Reports of Serious Injuries
An electronic cigarette almost tore off the whole jaw of a 17-year-old boy in Nevada when his mother purchased the device to help stop him smoking, as The New York Times reports. They were sitting in the sitting room when she and her husband heard a loud bang. Her son ran in the room holding his jaw and bleeding profusely.
The high school student was rushed to a hospital in their small Nevada town. They continued driving for 200 miles to reach a hospital with trauma center due to the severity of the trauma.
Since then, he had many surgeries with permanent disfiguration of the face.
A woman in Washington State is suing an e-cigarette maker after her battery exploded as she drove in 2017. Her 3-year-old child and a friend were also in the vehicle. She and her friend reported hearing a whirring, followed by a pop. Then the plaintiff was suddenly engulfed in fire. Her friend managed to put the car in park, allowing plaintiff to jump out. She sustained injuries that were severe, painful, and permanent. This required more than two weeks in the hospital, multiple operations and future surgeries. The toddler and friend were not hurt.
In another similar case, a Tacoma resident alleged that his e-cigarette battery exploded inside his pocket and burnt him severely.
In Florida in R-L Sales, LLC, an appeals court affirmed a verdict of $2 million in favor of a plaintiff who had sued over an electronic cigarette. The jury decided that the company that sold the battery of the gadget held 100% liability for his injuries. He was awarded a medical sum of $48,000 as well as pain and suffering that totaled $2 million.
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Why are e-cigarette batteries so dangerous?
They use disposable cartridges attached to rechargeable batteries or single-use products that cannot be recharged and are less safe.
Most e-cigarette makers produce closed systems. The industry is still unregulated and many independent operators continue to produce devices with open-system designs. These same companies had inaccurate nicotine labels and contained a harmful chemical called diacetyl even though their labels said they were free of it.
In a survey of approximately 25,000 teens, most who had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days started with the closed system (generally safer) before moving on to the less regulated, riskier open-system. Most often, these were available at vape shops.
FDA Tips for Vaping Safety
The FDA does not regulate this market yet, but it offers consumer advice on how to reduce the risk of serious injury.
Included are:
- Use only vape devices with safety features, such as vent holes, locking buttons, and protection from overcharging. Do not remove or disable safety features.
- Keep loose batteries in their case to avoid contact with metal items like coins, keys, etc.
- Charge vape devices using a charger for a tablet or phone.
- Charge your vape device on a clean, flat surface. Do not leave it unattended. Charge your vape device on a flat, clean surface away from materials, objects, or substances that could catch fire.
- Avoid exposing the device to extreme temperatures. ).
- Batteries that are wet or damaged should not be used. For a replacement, contact the manufacturer.
Our lawyers specializing in Florida e-cigarette product liability lawsuits can help weigh your legal options if you suffered serious injury or death from a Florida e-cigarette explosion.
Call W. Lee Clark & Associates to schedule a confidential and free appointment at (941) 207-7477.
