File a Lawsuit After a Vape Pen Explosion
Electronic cigarettes, commonly referred to as e-cigarettes, could be hazardous to consumers. Throughout the United States, over one hundred personal injury lawsuits have been filed over e-cigs that have exploded or caught fire while a person was using it. According to a website Know the Risks provided by the Office of the Surgeon General, defective vape pens are known to catch fire or self-explode while using. These incidents have lead to serious injuries.
Identifying an E-Cigarette
E-cigarettes, vape pens, or vaporizers allow a person to inhale a vaporized form of nicotine instead of smoking tobacco through traditional methods. The “smokeless cigarette” has recently risen in popularity since its invention in the early 2000’s. The vape pen’s attractiveness has made it a captivating device among adults and teens alike. When compared to traditional smoking, many people remain unsure about the health effects a vape pen can have. In spite of this and with respect to product liability, the product’s safety has noteworthy evidence against it.
The Potential Defects of a Vape Pen
Claims made against vape pen devices allege that the devices are subject to malfunctions or overheating because of the lithium-ion batteries used to operate them. A battery defect has the potential to cause a vape pen to randomly combust without warning while in-use. An exploding batter could cause catastrophic injuries to a person. Depending on the circumstance, some injuries can cause fatalities, infrastructure fires, or other forms of property damage.
Injuries Caused by Defective Vape Pens
Bodily injuries concerning e-cig personal injury claim have generally dealt with skin burns and other explosion-related medical conditions such as devastating amputations. Many e-cig victims have suffered heat burns from fires caused by the device along with chemical burns caused by the ingredients used to make the device.
Some of the most widely seen claims involve victims who have filed a lawsuit for a device that exploded while it was in use. These victims have suffered injuries that involve, but are not limited to the following:
- The loss of teeth from the explosion,
- Lacerations or gashes to the lips, tongue, and cheeks,
- Facial lacerations or other abrasions,
- Injury of eyes involving the loss of eyesight or loss of eyes entirely,
- Amputations,
- Severe injury to the fingers and hands
Many victims suffer third-degree burn injuries when a vape pen malfunctions. With permanent disfigurement from these defective devices, many individuals suffer irreversible harm.
Consult a Skilled Attorney After a Defective Vape Pen Injury
If you or someone you know has sustained an injury because of a defective vape pen, it is important to speak to an attorney who has experience in handling product malfunction cases. After suffering an injury, there could be a potential to obtain financial restitution.
The attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP have extensive experience in handling product’s liability cases in the State of California. The firm is dedicated to helping victims obtain the compensation they deserve after suffering an injury from a defective product. Products liability cases in California are subject to time restraints; consult a professional attorney straightaway.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.