Dangerous e-cigarette explosions causing serious injuries
On April 24, 2014, the FDA proposed regulating e-cigarettes, banning the sale of devices to people under the age of 18, and requiring e-cigarette manufacturers to disclose the ingredients of their products to the agency. In August of 2016 the FDA finalized a rule that extends its regulatory authority to all e-cigarette products. However, the proposed ruling does not include e-cigarette accessories such as batteries and chargers which have been blamed for the recent rise in e-cigarette explosions over the past couple of years.
Between 2012-2014, there were more than 20 serious cases involving e-cigarette explosions and fires, resulting in a variety of fire-related physical injuries as well as damage to property.
The problem stems from the lithium-ion batteries that are used in e-cigarettes. These batteries are commonly found in laptops and cellphones and usually do not cause problems. But, in the case of e-cigarettes, they are especially prone to overheating. This is due to the following:
- using incompatible chargers with e-cigarettes
- overcharging e-cigarettes
- not taking sufficient safety precautions while using e-cigarettes
If you or a family member has suffered serious injuries or property damage as a result of e-cigarette use, you are entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. The Los Angeles law firm of Gregory Yates is well-known for rigorously fighting complex cases on the behalf of injured victims and their families.
Mr. Yates is a personal and catastrophic injury lawyer serving Los Angeles, San Bernadino, Ventura, Riverside and Orange counties. The attorneys at the law office of Greg Yates are committed to holding the marketers, manufacturers, and distributors of e-cigarette products accountable for any and all injuries that have resulted from their use.
Could this have been prevented?
According to FEMA, approximately 80% of all e-cigarette explosions occur during charging while 12% occur when the devices are in use or in storage. Consumers are purchasing and using these products without realizing the potential they have to cause disfiguring injuries and burns.
In Los Angeles and the state of California, when a person is injured, he and she has a legal right to bring an action for physical and medical injuries. Personal injury lawsuits involving e-cigarettes can fall under the practice areas of wrongful death and/or product liability.
Cases involving product liability include defects in product design, manufacturing, or marketing whereas wrongful death claims involve all types of fatal accidents including those that result from product liability cases. In the case of e-cigarettes the companies responsible for manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the products can be found to be legally at fault.
Why these cases matter
Cases involving e-cigarette explosions are important because they help to exert pressure on the industry to warn consumers about the potential danger from using these products incorrectly or without taking adequate safety precautions. In addition, manufacturers should be required to warn consumers about the danger involved in using e-cigarettes.
If you have been injured by a defective or dangerous product, it is imperative that you consult an experienced products liability attorney. The Los Angeles law firm of Gregory Yates can offer personalized, compassionate advice and counsel while working tirelessly to achieve the best possible result for you. Contact our offices to schedule an initial consultation.