When they first became popular, e-cigarettes were marketed as a harmless alternative to cigarettes. However, more and more people are realizing that there can be issues with vaping. You may have noticed that a few e-cig lawsuits have been in the news lately and wondered what these are all about.
Almost all e-cigarette lawsuits fall into two main categories. Most people who are suing e-cigarette manufacturers are doing so because they feel that they were either injured or misled by the product. Here is what you need to know about the reasons behind e-cigarette lawsuits.
Exploding E-Cigarettes Lead to Lawsuits
Between 2009 and 2016, roughly 200 e-cigarettes exploded, and the number continues to grow as e-cigarette usage picks up. Vape pens may explode because they frequently use lithium ion batteries. If these batteries are short circuited, which often happens after contacting metal, they can end up superheating to temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This can result in serious burns and fires.
Since the issue with lithium ion batteries is now well known, manufacturers that still use these faulty batteries may be liable for exploding cigarettes. An e-cigarette explosion may cause property damage, medical bills, and other issues, so people have sued manufacturers for these issues. Depending on the case, manufacturers may end up having to cover medical bills, lawyer fees, and compensation for pain and suffering. Manufacturers are not the only ones who may be held responsible. The e-cigarette retailers and sellers may also be sued if they did not properly warn consumers about the issues.
Lawsuit Claims Misleading Advertising Is Harming Youth
Though most e-cigarette lawsuits are about faulty products, there has been a recent uptick in lawsuits claiming that people were misled by e-cigarette companies. Much of the marketing for e-cigarettes has revolved around the idea that they are a safe, fun alternative to cigarettes. However, more and more research is finding that e-cigarettes can be just as problematic as traditional forms of tobacco.
The most high profile case is the class action suit against Juul that was filed in August. Plaintiffs allege that the company purposefully marketed their products to young people while not mentioning that the e-cigarettes contain nicotine. There are concerns about the fact that an e-cigarette cartridge can contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes without consumers being aware of the levels.
This type of lawsuit might be a little harder to prove than an exploding e-cigarette lawsuit, but it is still a valid reason to sue a company. Many e-cigarette brands sell their products as a type of flavored vapor inhaler, and they may not be providing enough information to the consumers. This might lead people to becoming accidentally addicted to nicotine which can cause real physical and psychological problems. In addition to pushing for compensation for people now addicted to nicotine, these types of lawsuits are also attempting to get better regulation for e-cigarettes. They hope that they can force manufacturers to provide more information to consumers and stop marketing to teens.
If you or someone you know feels that they have a case against an e-cigarette manufacturer, it is important to get help from a lawyer experienced with these types of liability cases. Contact Sadaka Associates at 1-800-810-3457 to learn how we can assist you.
