E-Cigarette Lawsuits Filed Over Exploding Devices
E-Cigarette Lawsuits Filed Over Exploding Devices
E-cigarettes hit the U. S. market in 2007, and since then it’s become a multi-billion dollar industry with the devices’ inhalable vapor marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, a report in The Wall Street Journal talks about how many personal injury lawyers and consumers say the $3.5 billion industry is not doing much to address a grave, potential hazard – cheaply made lithium-ion batteries that power the e-cigarettes and can unexpectedly explode.
E-Cigarette Lawsuits Across the Nation
Several in Southern California and across the nation have had similar experiences and have been filing personal injury lawsuits claiming compensation for their significant injuries, damages and losses. Lawsuits have been filed in Florida, New York, California and other states. Many of the lithium-ion batteries at issue were manufactured in China with substandard parts and little regulation.
Even though manufacturers and distributors say the fires and explosions occur because of user error and people not using the right kind of chargers, the dangers of e-cigarettes have not gone unnoticed. Recently, the devices were banned by the U.S. Department of Transportation from all checked-in baggage precisely because of the explosion and fire hazards they pose.
Holding Companies Liable
For years, e-cigarette manufacturers have been reveling in a regulation-free environment, being able to sell these devices even to children. They didn’t waste any time with that. In fact, e-cigarette use among middle and high school students has skyrocketed over the last few years as companies compete with one another to market and sell fruit and candy flavors that appeal to young people from cotton candy and bubble gum to cherry.
The Food and Drug Administration, which said in May that it would begin regulation these devices, reported 134 incidents of overheating, fires and explosions of the devices nationwide between 2009 and 2016. Of course big tobacco companies have all launched or acquired e-cigarette divisions.
We at Bisnar Chase are committed to protecting the rights of consumers. If you or a loved one has been injured by these dangerous or defective products, please contact an experienced e-cig injury lawyer that has the resources, knowledge and resolve to handle these types of cases and passionately pursue justice and fair compensation for injured victims and their families.
