Vape Explosion Lawyer
If you or your loved one has been injured by a vape explosion, you may have a right to seek compensation from the manufacturer of the vaping device, just as other injured e-cigarette users have done.
E-cigarettes have grown in popularity as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. According to a report by the U.S. Fire Administration, there have been 25 incidents of explosions and fire involving e-cigarettes in recent years.
A North Carolina man lost an eye and sustained serious facial and chest burns after an e-cigarette exploded in his face.
The attorneys at Hardison & Cochran are investigating e-cig and vape explosion cases and pursuing e-cigarette lawsuits on behalf of those who have been injured. Our highly regarded personal injury attorneys have been helping people in North Carolina who have been injured for more than 30 years and have a strong record of success.
Manufacturers of e-cigarettes and the lithium batteries used in them have a legal responsibility to make products that are safe when used as intended.
Our experienced attorneys understand the product liability laws that apply in cases involving dangerous and defective products. We will work aggressively to hold accountable manufacturers whose unsafe products have caused serious harm.
How Do Vape Explosions Occur?
Most e-cigarettes resemble traditional cigarettes or pipes. E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that hold a cartridge containing nicotine, flavoring, coloring and other liquids. A heating element in the e-cigarette heats the liquid solution to a boil and converts it to vapor, which the user inhales. The energy to generate the heating element typically comes from a lithium-ion battery in the device.
Under certain conditions, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can pose a safety hazard because they contain a flammable electrolyte and are pressurized. An e-cigarette explosion may cause the battery to be ejected from the device and ignite a house fire. In some of these cases, the explosion has caused a fire involving nearby carpet, bedding, drapes, furniture or vehicle seats.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted some limited testing on certain e-cigarettes and detected a variety of quality control problems related to the manufacture of the devices.
Many types of e-cigarettes have a USB port to plug the device into a power adapter provided by the manufacturer. Many people are unaware that the voltage in USB ports can vary significantly. The connection of an e-cigarette to a non-approved power adapter appears to be the cause of most of the explosions. Most explosions have occurred when the battery was charging. The lithium batteries must be charged as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. Using an unauthorized power adapter or overcharging of the battery can cause an explosion.
Determining how an e-cigarette explosion occurred and identifying the responsible parties can require a detailed investigation involving the expertise of product safety engineers. Our law firm has experience handling legal issues related to product safety and defective products. They can be complex cases to investigate. Therefore, it is important to work with an established law firm that has the resources to pursue an investigation where it leads in order to identify all the potentially responsible manufacturers.
What Types of Compensation Can You Obtain from a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you have been seriously injured by an e-cigarette explosion, you may be eligible to seek money damages to pay for your medical bills and other losses related to the injury. An exploding vape held near your face can cause burn injuries, scarring and disfiguring injuries.
The types of damages available to injury victims may include compensation for:
- Doctor and hospital bills,
- Pain and suffering,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of quality of life,
- Disfigurement,
- Property damage.
Our goal in representing injured clients is to seek the maximum compensation available based on the specific facts of the accident.
Does the FDA Oversee Electronic Cigarettes?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding potential health risks posed by e-cigarettes. The agency is concerned that e-cigarettes can expose users to chemicals known to be toxic to humans, increase nicotine addiction among young people, and are sold without any age restriction in flavors that may appeal to young people. Through sample testing, the FDA has found some e-cigarettes contained nicotine, although they were marketed as being nicotine-free.
The FDA has proposed requiring health warnings on e-cigarettes and taking on regulatory oversight of e-cigarettes, water-pipe tobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco and nicotine gels.
The FDA says it routinely receives reports from consumers and health care professionals of various adverse events involving e-cigarettes including disorientation, seizure, pneumonia, and lower blood pressure. But the FDA says that e-cigarettes have not been scientifically studied, so the amount of nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals that users inhale and other potential health risks of using e-cigarettes remain uncertain. Nicotine is highly addictive.
The FDA said it wanted to bar e-cigarette manufacturers from making any claims about the health benefits of using vaping devices without scientific evidence and to require disclosure of the contents of e-cigarettes.
Why You Should Consult with an Attorney?
Our experienced attorneys at Hardison & Cochran have been helping injured people in North Carolina obtain the full compensation they deserve for more than 30 years. We will pursue you case aggressively and keep you informed of our progress on your behalf. Our team approach has resulted in a number of substantial verdicts and settlements for clients, as well as many referrals from satisfied clients.
Contact a North Carolina e-cigarette injury lawyer to discuss your legal options if you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a vape device or e-cigarette.
Contact a North Carolina E-cigarette Lawyer
The personal injury lawyers at Hardison & Cochran are preparing claims based on vape explosion injuries involving e-cigarettes, vape pipes, hookah pens and other types of electronic vapor smoking devices. We are committed to holding accountable the manufacturers of dangerous products that put profits ahead of consumer safety. Call us and schedule a free consultation to review the specific facts of your injury free of charge and receive an explanation of your legal options for recovering compensation.
Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law has offices in Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Dunn, and Southern Pines.
