In 2017, plaintiffs filed over 120 lawsuits after being injured from exploding e-cigarette batteries. Out of those cases, eight people claim the device exploded in their mouth. Many expect the number of exploding vape battery lawsuits to continue to grow.
About Vape Pens
Vape pens are also known as e-cigarettes or e-cigs are an electronic nicotine delivery system that produces a heated vapor, resembling smoke. They were first commercialized in China in 2004. However, now U.S. consumers make up 43% of the electronic cigarette market, which equates to $8 billion in the world market. This equals more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. are using them.
Using a heating element, the devices vaporize a liquid solution, which can deliver various levels of nicotine. Some activate the heating coil automatically when a user takes a drag from the device. Some are manual. Many use a lithium-ion battery to power the device.
Rising Exploding Vape Battery Lawsuits
The over 120 injured people from vape batteries say that when the battery explodes it caused them to lose teeth and receive third-degree burns. Others had injuries to their groin. In fact, a few cases in California state courts include a claim that a plaintiff lost and eye and had smashed facial bones. He received a $1.9 million verdict. Currently, a plaintiff has filed the first wrongful death lawsuit from an exploding vape battery in New York. The lawsuit alleges that the device exploded launching shrapnel into the victim’s head before causing the house to catch on fire.
U.S. Fire Administration statistics indicate that e-cigarette fire incidents have increased exponentially since 2012. These number will continue to grow as U.S. distributors import Chinese vape products for the lower cost. However, these devices do not have the quality control found in the United States.
Limited Regulations
The reason why so many are being hurt is there is a severe lack of regulations, codes, or laws governing the safety of the batteries in e-cigarettes. Agencies are starting to recognize the danger. In April 2017, the FDA conducted a two-day public workshop on “Battery Safety Concerns in Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)”. This was an attempt to gather information on battery overheating, fire, explosion, and other failures. The FDA then gave away the responsibility and said manufacturers should test the batteries better. Raising the manufacturer standards means that many companies are taking shortcuts.
Companies purchase substandard lower wattage batteries then re-wrap them and pretend they are safe. Re-wrapped batteries often advertise inaccurate ratings like indicating a 30-ampere rating that was only 20 A. If a product calls for a 30 A but if a user is using a 20 A battery, then the battery will stress and could possibly explode.
We Want to Help Victims
Therefore, if an exploding electronic cigarette burned you, you may have a claim against the manufacturers of the device and battery. This means you may be able to recoup damages for your injury.
Contact the Michael Brady Lynch Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about seeking justice. Compensation may be available for any medical expenses associated with this ordeal, as well as for your physical and emotional suffering. There is no obligation.