Explosive Electronic Cigarette (E-Cig) Lawsuits
Consumers are increasingly turning to e-cigarettes as a way to get a nicotine fix, without smoking’s risks. Defective vape components may cause more harm, than good, to your health.
Inside an e-cigarette (“vape pen”) there is: a heating element (atomizer/cartomizer) to vaporize a liquid solution usually containing a mixture of: Propylene glycol (a flavor enhancer); vegetable glycerin (vapor enhancer); nicotine (non-nicotine versions available); flavorings.
In order to work safely, all these components must be engineered and tested, mechanically and chemically, to not create unknown harms to their users.
Not all e-cigarettes or vape components are receiving the exacting engineering or testing needed to make them safe for use. Between 2009 and 2014, at least 25 people have been injured by exploding e-cigs, and doctors at the University of Washington note they are seeing “about two such patients each month.”
Why Do E-Cigarettes Explode?
Lithium-ion batteries, which power e-cigarettes, have become infamous for defects leading to fires in hoverboards, smartphones, and other electronics.
Recently, an e-cig spontaneously combusted and killed a 24-year-old man in Texas last week when his vape pen exploded — slicing open his carotid artery. William Brown died after his left internal carotid artery was severed due to trauma from the exploding vape pen he just bought from Smoke & Vape DZ.
In many cases, the device spontaneously explodes in the users’ pocket or hands, leading to blast and chemical injuries. Due to the cylindrical design of the batteries in e-cigarettes, the explosions create a unique hazard.
In another incident, a Vape Pen exploded in a teen's mouth, knocking out several teeth, breaking his jaw and leaving a hole in his gums.
The weakest parts of the battery and e-cigarette are the ends. When pressure within the battery builds up rapidly, the e-cigarette ruptures at the weakest point, propelling the battery like a bullet out of a gun.
Injuries from vape explosions tend to occur to the groin or thigh (53%), and hands (33%), according to medical literature. One in five injuries (20%) occur to the face, potentially blowing out teeth and leaving patients with scarring which they will bear for the rest of their lives.
How are E-Cigarettes Catching Fire?
Nearly all of the electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries are flammable or combustible. The batteries “fail,” or catch fire and explode, due to elevated temperatures in the battery, which then create additional heat and gas.
If the heat cannot dissipate faster than it generates, a runaway chain reaction and heat build-up occurs, leading to a fire or explosion.
The heat in the battery may come from any number of sources, including:
- Over-charging (or over discharging)
- Short circuits
- Overheating from an external heat source
The majority of fires and explosions appear to be from overcharging the device, by charging with an incompatible power adapter, incorrect USB port, or overcharging with an unprotected battery.
Too many times, a battery failure occurs without warning: because of an internal defect, or when a poorly-designed loose battery comes in contact with metal, such as coins or keys.
With such spontaneous e-cigarette explosions, the failure may occur a victim’s pocket , purse, or car, causing the batteries to spontaneously erupt, without warning, and inflict injuries requiring medical attention.
Vaping Explosions Lawsuit
Corporations and retailers know better than to use poor-quality, failure-prone batteries in their products, and yet they continue to place unsafe products in the hand and mouths, of U.S. consumers.
Victims of manufacturers’ negligence should not have to suffer: first, through excruciating injuries and then painful medical bills. Negligent manufacturers (and sellers) should be held accountable for their failure to engineer or test batteries appropriately which could easily have prevented the injuries.
In Washington, four victims have filed suit against makers and sellers of unsafe e-cigarettes for their injuries resulting from e-cig explosions, including second and third-degree burns and other injuries requiring multiple bone grafts and reconstructive surgeries.
Contact Miller Weisbrod Olesky
Miller Weisbrod Olesky is currently handling cases involving defective e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. If you or a loved one was seriously injured by a faulty vaping device, call us today at (214) 987-0005 for your free case evaluation.