When e-cigarettes came on the market in the mid-2000s, they were marketed as safer than regular cigarettes, since they were not made from tobacco and did not use flame and therefore did not create tar or other dangerous carcinogens or toxins created by cigarette smoking.
However, recent studies have shown that e-cigarettes are just as dangerous as cigarettes and may even be more dangerous than cigarettes. In addition, defective e-cigarettes can easily cause burns and other explosion injuries to users.
One of the most popular brands of e-cigarettes is called JUUL, a USB-shaped device that allows for the vaping of numerous flavored nicotine solutions. JUUL in particular has been blamed for marking to children and teens due to its discreet form, marketing as a “safer” alternative to cigarettes, and use of flavored solutions attractive to young people.
As more and more studies show that vaping poses even greater health risks than smoking, especially in children and teens, if you have used JUUL or other e-cigarettes, you may be entitled to compensation if you have suffered from diseases caused by e-cigarettes or have been injured by a defective e-cigarette device.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced product liability lawyer who can help you to understand your legal rights and options. The consultation is free.
Dangers of E-Cigarettes and JUUL Vaporizers
Despite their seemingly harmless appearance, e-cigarettes and JUUL vaporizers pose numerous dangers to their users, particularly to children and teen users. First, e-cigarette devices pose a danger of accident to users. Although they don’t use open flames like traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping devices can pose a serious risk of burns and explosion injuries.
Since e-cigarettes use an electrical element to vaporize the nicotine solution, fires and explosions can occur if devices are negligently designed or manufactured or if the devices are used improperly by customers. Many e-cigarette manufacturers fail to provide customers with adequate warnings about proper use.
Even when vaping devices are used correctly, they can pose a serious danger of disease and other health issues. Although e-cigarette companies claim that their products are safer because they do not contain the carcinogens of tobacco cigarettes, recent studies have shown that the vaping effect of e-cigarettes can produce other cancer-causing chemicals, sometimes at concentrations far higher than that produced by traditional cigarettes.
Other studies indicate that e-cigarette use can cause many of the same health effects as traditional cigarettes, such as lung disease, respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and nicotine addiction.
Common Causes of E-Cigarette and JUUL Vaporizer Accidents
Although marketed as safer than traditional cigarettes, the use of e-cigarettes and JUUL vaporizers can lead to serious accidents for users who are unaware of the risks of using these devices, especially when they are defectively designed or manufactured.
Some of the most common causes of e-cigarette and JUUL accidents include:
- Puncturing of the device or the vaping liquid container
- Overcharging the battery
- Exposing the device to excessive external heat
- Short-circuiting
Common Injuries and Side Effects of Vaping
Vaping can cause numerous injuries and side effects, both through the normal use of vaping devices along with accidents that may occur with the device. Some of the common injuries arising from e-cigarette accidents include:
- Second and third-degree burns to the face, hands, or inside the mouth
- Jaw fractures, facial damage, or tooth damage or loss
- Amputation of fingers
- Eye damage and blindness
- Infection from injuries
New studies show that e-cigarette use can lead to numerous health issues and side effects, such as:
- Lung irritation and disease, including popcorn lung
- Respiratory issues and disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart attack
- Cancer
- Developmental problems in younger users
- Reproductive issues
- Reduced immune response
- Nicotine addiction and potential future use of traditional cigarettes
What to Do If You Were Injured by an E-Cigarette/JUUL Vaporizer in Huntsville
If you have been injured or have developed health issues due to e-cigarette and JUUL used in Huntsville, it is important that you act quickly and decisively to protect your rights. The vaping industry does little to protect its customers, and government regulations are still trying to catch up with the explosive growth of the vaping industry. Vaping devices require no warnings on the device or packaging and devices are not required to be child-proofed. The FDA did not impose regulatory approval requirements on vaping products and bans on sales to minors until 2016.
If you were injured by an e-cigarette, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit to seek financial compensation. To give yourself the best chance at recovering financial compensation in a lawsuit against an e-cigarette company, you should be sure to keep copies of all medical records from your treatment of your injuries caused by an e-cigarette accident or the health issues caused by e-cigarette use.
These records will demonstrate how you have been injured by e-cigarettes and establish some of the damages that you may be entitled to.
If you are considering filing a lawsuit against an e-cigarette company, it is important that you hire an experienced vaping injury attorney to represent your interests and to advocate on your behalf. Unfortunately, the e-cigarette companies continue to insist that their products are safer than traditional cigarettes and will likely try to avoid liability for the injuries and health issues that their products cause.
Potential Damages for Vaping Victims in Huntsville
If you have been injured by e-cigarette use, you may be entitled to damages for the harm you have suffered. Some of the potential types of damages you could recover in a lawsuit against the e-cigarette companies include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s office visits, surgeries, physical/occupational/speech therapy, and prescription medication
- Lost wages due to work missed because of injuries caused by e-cigarette use
- Lost earning potential, if injuries or disease caused by e-cigarette use causes you to be unable to work at your maximum earning potential
- Pain and suffering, or the physical and mental anguish and distress resulting from injuries or disease caused by e-cigarette use
- Loss of quality of life, including permanent health damage or disfigurement or inability to do things you previously used to do or be able to do
Contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., for a Free Consultation
For years e-cigarette companies have marketed their products as safer than traditional cigarettes. Unfortunately, experience has shown that not to be the case. When you or a loved one are injured or suffer health issues from e-cigarette use, you deserve to receive compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Huntsville e-cigarette injury lawyers to discuss your rights and options and to learn more about how we can help you obtain the financial recovery you need and deserve.
