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E-Cigarette Explosions

Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer For Electronic Cigarette-Related Explosions

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes (e-cigs) or electronic nicotine delivery systems, are battery operated devices designed to deliver nicotine with flavorings and other chemicals to users in vapor instead of smoke. More than 250 different e-cigarette brands are currently on the market and while they are often promoted as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, little is known yet about the health risks associated with using these devices. What is known, however, is the increase in e-cigarette explosions. These types of explosions cause serious injuries to users so it’s best to contact a personal Sacramento injury lawyer for legal advice immediately.

How E-Cigarettes Work

Most e-cigarettes consist of three different components:

  • A cartridge, which holds a liquid solution containing varying amounts of nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals
  • A heating device (vaporizer)
  • A power source (usually a battery)

In most e-cigarettes, puffing activates the battery-powered heating device, which vaporizes the liquid in the cartridge. The resulting aerosol or vapor is then inhaled.

E-cigs were first patented in 2003 and have been available for sale in the U.S. since 2007. They have been rapidly growing in popularity – more than 2.5 million Americans are using electronic cigarettes, or personal vaporizers, and this number is growing. E-cigs come in a variety of forms and because of this, cases involving explosions have been increasing.

As of November 2016, over 200 e-cigarette explosions have been reported worldwide, and that number is increasing. According to those reports:

  • 27% of e-cig explosions happened during use
  • 38% of e-cig explosions happened during charging
  • 19% of e-cig explosions happened during transport, storage or unknown circumstances
  • 15% of e-cig explosions involved spare batteries for removable battery mods
  • 63% of e-cig explosions have resulted in injury or death

Keep in mind that The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) does not collect information that is specific enough to provide accurate analysis of the impact of e-cigarette fires so often, the media reports, which many not necessarily be as reliable, are used as alternative sources for gathering data. Regardless, over 100 reported cases of e-cig explosions have caused injuries or deaths throughout the world. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from e-cigarettes, don’t wait to talk to a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento.

Lithium-ion batteries in devices such as cellphones and laptops have also been known to cause fires, but the design of e-cigs makes these devices more likely to explode if the battery fails. According to FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, all the electrolytes currently used in lithium-ion batteries are either flammable or combustible liquids which can cause fire and explosion if the battery overheats. E-cigarettes are different from other electronic consumer devices because the battery is installed in a cylindrical device that has its weakest structural point at the ends. When the battery seal ruptures, the pressure within the e-cigarette cylinder builds quickly and instantly ruptures. As a result, the battery can be propelled across the room like a bullet. Unlike e-cigs, laptops and other portable tools are contained in rigid plastic cases that prevent the battery from rocketing away.

How To Avoid An E-Cigarette Explosion

Not all battery failures can be prevented by users but there are a few things you can do to prevent the chances of your e-cig exploding:

  • Always use the charging appliance that comes with the unit and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Do not plug an e-cigarette into a “standard” USB port to recharge
  • Do not carry spare batteries in your pocket
  • Transport loose batteries in storage cases
  • Discard batteries properly when damages

Charging the device properly is the safest way to prevent product defects and explosions.

The market for e-cigarettes is $3.5 million in the U.S. alone and only increasing. With the popularity rapidly growing, so will the cases of explosions and injuries. If you are injured from an e-cigarette explosion, or some other consumer product defect, a personal injury lawyer can help you through your legal lawsuit. In order to seek compensation, you have to target distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Contact a personal injury lawyer now for help.

The Personal Injury Lawyer You Need

At The Weinberger Law Firm, we represent clients throughout the Sacramento Valley and across Northern California in a wide variety of product defect injury claims.

We are prepared to represent you in any type of product defect injury claims, including:

Speak With A Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Product Defect

Contact our Sacramento personal injury law firm to discuss your injury concerns. We offer a free initial consultation where you can get honest answers to your questions and learn more about your rights in these matters. Please call 916-304-0952 or send us an email to schedule an appointment.