Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs and vaporizers or vape pens, are battery-powered devices that simulate tobacco smoking and provide the user with nicotine. These devices have become very popular in recent years as come in various flavors and give people a different experience than they get from smoking a regular cigarette.
E-cigarettes and vapes are marketed as a safe alternative to traditional smoking, but this claim is misleading at best. There have been reports in Connecticut and throughout the country of e-cigarettes being linked to explosions and fires, resulting in severe injuries and even death. An e-cig explosion occurs because the lithium-ion batteries catch fire when the battery fails. The design and construction of e-cigs make them more likely to explode. While lithium-ion batteries are usually safe, because of the devices they are used in, they can cause severe injuries. E-cigarettes, much like cell phones, contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. An injury to the user’s fingers, arms, ears, and legs caused by an exploding device can be devastating.
E-cigarettes can even explode in your pocket, leading to first, second, and third-degree burns on your legs and torso. If you or a loved one has been injured by an e-cigarette or vape pen, contact the experienced and compassionate personal injury attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers today. We understand the devastating effects an exploding e-cig can have on an individual, and we are here to help. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 800-PERKINS now.
Do I Need An E-Cigarette Injury Lawyer?
If a defective e-cigarette has injured you, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. An attorney can help you file a claim against the negligent e-cig manufacturer. Filing a lawsuit can be very complicated. These cases fall under the area of law known as product liability. Product manufacturers must make sure their products perform as advertised, contain adequate instructions and safety warnings, and do not pose a serious risk to consumers with regular use. For an attorney to succeed with an e-cigarette explosion lawsuit, they must prove the e-cig is defective and caused your injuries. Products can qualify as “defective” in the following ways:
- Defective design. There is an inherent flaw in the design of the product. This means that every e-cig produced using the design is flawed and potentially dangerous.
- Defective production. There was a flaw in the production process that may only have affected some products. In these cases, the manufacturer of the e-cigarettes will usually halt production until they can identify and fix the issue. The manufacturer will typically issue a recall for the affected e-cigs.
- Defective marketing. This describes a product that didn’t have the required safety hazard warnings or instructions for use. It can also apply to e-cigs that do not work as advertised.
Product liability lawsuits involve what is known as “strict liability.” This means that you don’t have to prove negligence against the designer or manufacturer. You must show that the defect existed and that it was traceable back to the designer or designer. An attorney can help you preserve relevant evidence after the e-cigarette explosion. This evidence will show the extent of your injuries caused by your accident. This can include past and future medical expenses and the costs of any ongoing medical care. The experienced product liability attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers have the skills, knowledge and resources to handle your e-cig explosion accident case.
Schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury team.
Why Choose Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers To Handle My Case?
Our founding attorney, Jonathan Perkins, has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for clients throughout Connecticut. He is committed to fighting to protect the rights of those who have suffered injuries. If you’ve been injured from an e-cigarette or vaping accident, you can count on Perkins’s proven success record to assist you in recovering the full and just compensation you deserve. Jonathan has been representing clients in product liability cases for decades. He graduated from Pace University, magna cum laude, with a B.A. in 1984. Jonathan received his Juris Doctor degree from New York University’s School of Law in 1987. He holds memberships at the New Haven County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Connecticut Bar Association, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and New York Bar Association. With more than 140 years of combined experience, the personal injury attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers have the skills and knowledge necessary to determine if you have a case. If we find that you do you have a case, we will fight tirelessly for the maximum compensation you deserve. We can help to guide you through the challenges that may arise during an e-cigarette explosion lawsuit.
Types Of Vaping Accident Cases We Handle
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we handle any case where an individual is injured due to a defective e-cigarette or vape pen – be it an explosion or overheating. When e-cigarettes explode, they typically cause the victim to suffer severe burns and tissue damage, which could result in a long and painful recovery. Our attorneys handle e-cig explosion cases involving the following injuries.
- Skin Loss
- Bone Loss
- First, Second and Third Degree Burns
- Jaw Damage
- Facial Damage
- Loss of Appendages
- Chemical Burns
- Fractured teeth
- Vision Loss
- Smoke Inhalation
- Upper body burns
- Blast-related injuries
- Loss of Mobility
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Facial Injuries
- Infection from Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding E-Cig Accidents
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we get many questions from clients throughout Connecticut regarding their e-cigarette accidents. We have compiled some of the most commonly asked questions. If you have any questions about your case, don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable Connecticut vaping injury lawyers by calling us today.
What Causes The Lithium-ion Batteries In Vapes To Fail?
Vapes explode because the battery of the product overheats. At a certain level of heat, a flammable portion of the battery can ignite, leading to a chain reaction inside the battery that causes an explosion. Reasons that a lithium-ion battery can fail include: Defective Design or Manufacturing Faulty battery design can, in some instances, cause an explosion. Poorly designed batteries will sometimes expand as they charge. When a battery expands, electrodes bend and cause a short circuit.
External Factors Extreme heat is one of the primary causes of e-cig explosions. Batteries placed too close to a heat source are known to explode. Even dropping your e-cigarette too hard, or too frequently, can damage the separator and cause the electrodes to touch. Charger Issues A poorly insulated charger can cause an explosion. When a charger generates too much heat for the battery, it can cause enough damage for the battery to fail. Although relatively rare, leaving an e-cig on a charger too long can cause the battery to overheat.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Injured In An E-Cig Explosion?
The first to do if you have been injured by an e-cig that has exploded or caught fire is to seek medical attention immediately. Not only is it crucial for your health and safety, but it is also critical to document injuries for a potential future claim against the manufacturer. Make sure you take as many photos as possible of the product and your injuries.
Also, be sure to preserve the e-cigarette in the exact condition that it was in after the explosion. Preserve the product and any packaging and give it to your lawyer so that the manufacturer won’t be able to argue that you altered the product to avoid liability.
What Types Of Compensation Can I Recover In A Vaping Injury Case?
When e-cig manufacturing and design defects lead to injuries and damages, users may be entitled to compensation. The following types of damages may be available to victims of e-cigarette explosions:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Disfigurement
Contact An E-Cig Injury Attorney In Connecticut
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries from a defective vape or e-cig, contact the experienced Connecticut product liability attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers today. Our injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid if you do. Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers has your best interests at heart, and we promise to fight for full and fair compensation for you and your family. We have the skills and resources needed to get the compensation you need and deserve. An e-cigarette explosion lawyer from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers is ready to sit down and discuss your vape injury case. Call us to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate injury lawyers. During your free consultation, we will listen to your story and explain all of your legal options.
