by John Blyth
Electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigs, vaporizers, or simply a “vape”) have recently transcended from “trendy” to “customary” since its introduction into the U.S. market in 2007. Vape pens, vape stores and even vape lounges are becoming more prevalent, as users see vaping as a contemporary and safer alternative to cigarettes while offering a wider range of flavors and other customizable options. However, even accepting cigarette smoke as more harmful than e-cigarette vapor, unrelated injuries associated with vaporizers calls into question which one is really safer than the other. As the popularity of e-cigarettes rises, so do the risks of e-cig explosions and accidents, which has already resulted in countless severe and permanent injuries.
A common vaporizer malfunction is battery explosion. Battery explosions can be caused by an increase in internal battery temperature. E-cigarette battery explosions can cause severe skin burns and other permanent, life-changing injuries. These burns often occur near the user’s mouth while using the device, or elsewhere depending on whether the device is being held or stored. Either way, the damage can be catastrophic and result in permanent injury.
E-cigarette consumers have the right to expect that their vaporizer device and its components will be safe and fit for its intended purpose. Given that e-cigs are fairly new products in the marketplace, there is a lack in uniformity of governmental oversight. In addition to certain federal guidelines, many US states and cities have adopted their own e-cigarette regulations. A particular state’s regulations will generally determine who can be held responsible for injuries caused by an e-cigarette product – i.e. the manufacturer, the distributor, and/or the retailer.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective e-cigarette product, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP, have the knowledge and experience to determine who is responsible for injuries caused by an e-cigarette explosion or fire. To speak to a defective product attorney and learn more about what we may be able to do to help you, please contact our legal team at (212) 779-0057.