E-Cigarette Lawsuit

Electronic Cigarette Lawyers

In recent years electronic cigarettes have gained tremendous popularity eating away at traditional tobacco sales and creating a booming billion-dollar industry. Commonly marketed as a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking, electronic smoking devices include e-cigarettes, e-pipes and e-hookahs with over 7,000 e-cig flavors being marketed in stores and online. E-cigarettes work by vaporizing a liquid solution in the device that typically includes nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals. The styles of devices vary, but all usually have a battery that heats an “e-liquid” creating a nicotine-enhanced vapor to inhale.

According to MedLine Plus, a consumer health resource provided by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), electronic smoking devices have been marketed for several uses including:

To use as a safer alternative to tobacco products
To “smoke” without getting addicted
To use as a tool to help you quit smoking

However, recent research has uncovered extreme health dangers associated with electronic smoking devices and consumers have not been adequately informed of these risks by the manufacturers.

E-Cigarette Dangers and Health Risks

According to the FDA, numerous adverse events have occurred as a result of electronic cigarettes. Injuries that have been reported include:

E-Cigarette Fire & E-Cigarette Explosion Risk
E-Liquids & E-Juices Contain Toxic Chemicals
Nicotine &/or chemical poisoning
Child Exposure
Pneumonia
Congestive Heart Failure
Disorientation
Seizure
Hypotension
Other Health Problems

E-Cigarette Dangers

E-Cigarette Fire & E-Cigarette Explosion Risk

Exploding E-cigarettes are caused mostly powered by lithium-ion batteries they contain. These types of batteries are susceptible to overheating, which can occur simply by overcharging a device, exposing to sunlight or using an incompatible charger. Many e-cigarette manufacturers have failed to warn consumers of the potential risks of battery explosion.

If an electronic smoking device has a battery that explodes while in a person’s mouth, hand or pocket, it can cause serious bodily injuries. Some users have suffered severe burns, permanent deformities, scarring, amputations, paralysis, and coma.

To help prevent battery explosions or fires with your device it is recommended that you:

Only use the charging devices purchased with the device
Do not overcharge your e-cigarette
Do not leave your e-cigarette in a hot car or hot environment
Immediately replace and dispose damaged batteries
Never leave your e-cigarette unattended or near children

E-Liquids & E-Juices Contain Toxic Chemicals

Electronic smoking devices use a battery to heat a liquid solution to produce a vapor that is inhaled by the users. These solutions, or e-liquids or e-juices as they are commonly called, contain a variety of ingredients that have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA.

A recent federally funded Harvard University study concluded that extremely dangerous chemicals are commonly found in the e-liquids or e-juices that being sold in or with electronic cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices. Of most concern is the use of Diacetyl, which gained notoriety as the chemical known to cause “popcorn lung” in factory workers who inhaled the toxin while on the job. This same toxic ingredient was found in the majority or flavored e-juices and e-liquids tested in e-cigs Harvard study. Also found in the e-liquids and e-juices were acetoin and pentanedione, two other lung-destroying chemicals.

As a result, consumers may be at risk for Diacetyl and toxin induced bronchiolitis obliterans, an interstitial lung disease which can be permanent, require a lung transplant or in severe cases cause death. Symptoms of toxic exposure or inhalation can gradually worsen over time but can include:

Persistent cough
Wheezing
Breathlessness (especially during physical activity)
Skin rash

E-Liquid & E-Juice Poisoning

E-liquids or E-juices are the key ingredient to a functioning electronic smoking device. These liquids contain nicotine, various chemicals and flavorings in a potent and highly concentrated amount. Ingestion or exposure to the e-liquids or e-juices, even in very small amounts, can cause severe injuries to children and even adults. Vomiting, disorientation, seizures and even multiple deaths have been linked to e-liquid consumption. A teaspoon of some of the liquids is enough to be fatal to a small child.

Unfortunately, these products have been marketed with bright packaging with child appealing flavors like chocolate, green apple, cherry and bumble gum. Even worse there is no federal regulation of these products for safety, child-proofing, ingredients or toxicity.

Nicotine &/or chemical poisoning is a serious medical condition for which you should seek medical help immediately.

To prevent poisoning by e-cigarette liquid chemicals, the American Association of Poison Control Centers recommends the following:

Protect your skin when handling the products
Always keep e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine locked up and out of the reach of children
Follow the specific disposal instructions on the label
If you think someone has been exposed to an e-cigarette or liquid nicotine, call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately

Legal Help for Victims Affected By E-Cigarettes

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury after smoking e-cigarettes, ingesting e-liquids or after an e-cig exploded or caught fire, contact our firm immediately at 1-800-223-3784. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but you must file a claim.

Contact the electronic cigarette lawyers at Pulaski Kherkher, PLLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to help.