Consumers warned about exploding e-cigs
For years now, the many health risks and dangers associated with smoking cigarettes have been widely publicized. In response, several states throughout the U.S., including New York, have passed anti-smoking legislation which ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars. Faced with declining customers and profits, tobacco companies began marketing and selling electronic cigarettes, which were widely billed as being a healthier alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.
Since e-cigs first hit the market, there’s been much debate over their safety and the possible negative long-term health effects related to their use. Recently additional safety concerns have been raised about e-cigs, however, these concerns revolve more around the dangers posed by the types of batteries and other potentially explosive and flammable materials used in the mechanisms.
The Insurance Journal has reported on numerous pending and settled cases involving incidences where e-cig users were injured by exploding batteries and other parts. In one case, a California woman suffered painful second-degree burns over her lower body after her charging e-cig exploded in the car. The woman was recently awarded $1.885 million. In several otherpending lawsuits against e-cig companies, individuals report suffering serious burns and even fractures to their faces, necks and ears after the mechanisms exploded while being used.
One recent and particularly severe incident involves a 21-year-old man who is currently in a medically-induced comma after the e-cig he was using is believed to have exploded in his face. In the wake of the initial explosion, doctors believe that the man accidentally swallowed part of the mechanism which then proceeded to explode in his throat.
New York residents who have been injured due to a dangerous product like an e-cig can benefit from the advice and assistance of an attorney who handles product liability cases. An attorney will fight for an injured individual’s rights and to recover compensation related to medical expenses, lost wages and disability.
Source: Insurance Journal, “Jury Awards $1.8M Exploding e-Cigarette Trial in California,” Staff, Oct. 30, 2015
FoxNews.com, “Florida man placed in a coma after e-cigarette explosion,” Oct. 28, 2015
