More Injuries Reported Due to Vape Pen Explosions
A Chicago woman suffered a severe wound to her face Monday when the vape pen she was using exploded. The woman reportedly had the battery changed at a local vape shop and shortly after placed the e-cigarette in her mouth and began to puff on it. The explosion happened after she began using the vapor pen, which resulted in injuries to her face and set a nearby desk on fire.
This isn’t the first injury of its kind. In May a St. Petersburg, Florida, a man died when his electronic cigarette exploded. The cause of death according to the autopsy report was a projectile wound to the head. The projectile was a section of the e-cigarette he had been using. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that there were 195 e-cigarette-related fires and explosions reported by the media in the U.S. between 2009 and 2016.
Vaping Injuries
Since electronic cigarette devices were put on the market in 2007, multiple injuries have been reported due to unexpected explosions. In 2015, the Transportation Safety Administration even placed a ban on carrying the devices in checked baggage. They feared the explosions associated with vaping. Some of the common injuries that are frequently reported include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Burns, especially on the face
- Broken and lost teeth
- Broken neck and facial bones
- Burns to the tongue and/or partial loss of the tongue
- Burns to the eyes
- Facial punctures and lacerations from shrapnel
- Partial loss of fingers
Who is Liable for Vaping Injuries?
Just like any other product liability injury lawsuit, there are several parties that could be held liable for injuries caused by a defective vaping device. A product liability attorney will be able to review your case and help determine what parties could be at fault. The liable parties could include:
- The designer of the device
- The manufacturer of the device
- The manufacturer of parts of the device
- The wholesaler of the device
- The retail store that sold the device
- The party in charge of marketing the device if they failed to provide instructions for use and appropriate warnings
Contact a Product Liability Attorney Today
If you or your loved one has been injured due to an electronic cigarette or similar device explosion, you could have a claim against any of the individuals or businesses listed above. You may be able to be compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of quality of life, emotional distress, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
The Boca Raton attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez have the experience and knowledge to assist you in wrongful death and personal injury cases that have occurred as a result of a vape device explosion. Lawsuits of this nature can be complex and lengthy, and the last thing you need while trying to recover from your injuries is the stress of trying to handle such a case on your own. Contact us today for a consultation so you can have peace of mind knowing that your rights are going to be protected.
Resources:
nbcchicago.com/news/local/machesney-park-exploding-vape-pen-484535141.html
cnn.com/2018/05/15/health/electronic-cigarette-explosion-death-bn/index.html
