Juul, E-Cig & Vaping Injuries

Smoking e-cigarettes or vaping has been touted by manufacturers as a safer alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes. However, that hasn’t been the case for a number of Americans who have suffered irreparable harm, disfigurement, pain from exploding e-cigarette devices, and other harmful effects from the use of these products.

No one would knowingly place an explosive device in their mouth or pocket due to the potential consequences of such an action. There are numerous reports now of these vaping and e-cigarette devices exploding while being carried, stored, and even while in use.

The manufacturers of these lithium-ion battery-operated devices have a responsibility to consumers to ensure their devices are safe for the public.

At The Terry Law Firm, we work to hold these manufacturers accountable when vaping accidents cause serious harm to the people of Tennessee. The impact of e-cigarette explosions can last for weeks, months, years, or even a lifetime.

We firmly believe that no one should have to endure this pain and financial strain from a product they had every right to assume was safe. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping FDA Regulations and Warnings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that it is concerned about the potential health risks that may be associated with vaping and the use of e-cigarette products, especially in light of recent reports of lung trauma and death in some e-cigarette users.

The FDA has also created programs like the Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan, which is aimed at trying to keep vaping products out of the hands of underage youth. They have come down on Juul in particular because the company had been marketing flavors that are appealing to children.

The FDA has been forced to issue a warning letter to the company, in part, because of their assertion that e-cigarettes are a “much safer” alternative to smoking. It is important to note that e-cigarettes like the ones made by Juul, are not currently FDA approved.

What Type of Injuries Are Caused by Vaping Explosions?

The injuries that can occur from a vaping accident vary depending on the location of the device. If a device explodes while in a pocket, for instance, someone may suffer flame burns, thermal burns, and even chemical burns.

When the device is placed in the mouth and an explosion occurs, the damage can be considerable. There have been reports of lost teeth, major tissue damage, loss of soft tissue such as eyes or tongue, facial fractures, burns, and other serious trauma.

These types of injuries can require extensive medical care, skin grafts, lengthy hospital stays, and months of painful rehabilitation.

A study conducted from 2015 to 2017 found that U.S. hospital emergency departments saw 2,035 injuries related to e-cigarette explosions and burns associated with vaping accidents. In addition to the anguishing physical pain that these injuries inflict, there can also be an associated mental trauma inflicted on the victim as well. An explosion and damage to the face can cause significant mental stress and a loss of normal quality of life, among other lasting effects.

Potential Damages Available to Victims in Morristown

The damage an exploding e-cigarette may cause can be extensive resulting in medical bills, time away from work, time away from family, and other losses that may be related to recovery.

Victims of vape accidents may be able to receive compensation for losses such as the following:

• Medical and hospital bills
• Rehabilitation costs
• Loss of wages
• Loss of normal quality of life
• Emotional distress and suffering
• Physical Pain
• Damages resulting from property loss

Potential damages will vary on a case-to-case basis depending on the type of vaping accident that a person suffers. A consultation with The Terry Law Firm is the best way to assess what damages a victim may be entitled to.

Are There Other Harmful Side Effects of Vaping?

There are other potentially serious and life-threatening side effects of the vaping trend that the FDA is now warning consumers about. New investigations are being led into multiple cases of severe lung injuries being reported by e-cigarette and vape users, including deaths.

The FDA has said that it is continuing to work with the Centers for Disease Control in order to isolate the cause of these lung injuries. In addition to the widely publicized cases of explosions and lung damage, many independent researchers claim that e-cigarettes and vaping can have other potentially damaging side effects, including:

• Continued Nicotine Addiction:

 Smokeless e-cigarettes are more efficient compared to traditional tobacco cigarettes, which may make it easier for people to ingest more nicotine into their system than they normally would have if they only smoked a traditional cigarette. Also, the nicotine in e-cigarettes gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

• Cancer and Lung Disease: 

The Surgeon General warns that e-cigarettes have been found to contain flavorants like diacetyl, which is a chemical that has been linked to serious lung disease. They have also been found to have heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.

• Damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system: 

Many e-cigarettes also contain volatile organic compounds. These compounds have been known to cause eye irritation, nose irritation, throat irritation, headaches, and nausea. At certain levels, they may also cause liver, kidney, and nervous system damage.

• Unknown Health Consequences: 

Vaping and e-cigarettes are still relatively new to the market. That means there are still potential long-term health hazards and risks associated with the product that we don’t fully understand yet. Researchers are still examining the effects the chemicals in these devices have on the human body, as well as if there are potential side effects related to secondhand inhalation of vapor.

While this is not a comprehensive list of all the complications that can come from using e-cigarettes and vaping, it is astonishing to see the number of health concerns these devices can cause.

What Should I Do If I Suffered an E-Cigarette Related Injury?

You don’t have to be another victim. The Terry Law Firm has offices in Morristown and Greeneville, Tennessee and we are here to listen to your story and help you reclaim your life after an e-cigarette accident. It is important to contact our office now if you have been injured by an e-cigarette or vaping device.

If you suffered injuries due to an exploding e-cigarette or a harmful side effect of vaping, we are here to help you navigate the process to seek what you are entitled to. Contact The Terry Law Firm by phone or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation.