The popularity of vaping has been on the rise in recent years. Since vape pens were first introduced in the early 2000s, millions of individuals in the United States have converted from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Vape pens are seen as a safe alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, but vape pen devices could pose a serious danger. There have been a number of documented vape pen explosions that have injured individuals. If you or a loved one have been injured by an exploding vape pen in the state of Texas, it is important that you contact a Texas personal injury attorney immediately.
Vape Pen Explosions
Since 2016, the United States Fire Administration reported that 195 accidents have occurred in the U.S. involving the explosion of a vape pen. Of the reported vape explosions since 2016, 133 caused injuries, which included 38 that were serious.
Recently, there was a report of a Florida man who was found dead as a result of an exploding vape pen. According to the reports, the man had severe burns all over his body, but the cause of death was an item from the vape pen that was lodged in his head due to the explosion.
The first individual to die from a vape pen explosion was Thomas Gangi. The explosion started a fire and lodged a piece of the pen into his skull. There is a wrongful death lawsuit that is pending in California over the death of Thomas Gangi.
A California woman received $1.9 million from a lawsuit that was filed after her vape pen exploded when it was being charged in her vehicle. The chemicals from the device caused second degree burns on various parts of her body, which resulted in permanent scarring.
The Courthouse News Service reported that at least eight individuals filed a lawsuit in 2017 under the claim a vape pen exploded while in their mouth. In addition, there have been numerous lawsuits that have been filed because an individual’s leg or groin was burned due to a vape pen exploding in their pockets. In a study released by the U.S. Fire Administration, 121 explosions happened when the vape pen was near the user’s face or in his or her pocket.
Vape Pen Explosion Lawsuits: What You Should Know
Lawsuits that deal with vape pen explosions are typically categorized under two claims. The first is the vape pen’s design was defective and caused danger when it was used as directed, and the second one is when manufacturers have failed to inform users of the potential danger of using the device.
When a vape pen explodes, these lawsuits can be product liability claims and personal injury claims. Product liability cases differ from personal injury cases because everyone that contributed to the production of the device is liable to the individual who was injured. An injured individual can file a product liability lawsuit against a retailer, manufacturer, or wholesaler. Working with an experienced law firm that understands which type of lawsuit you should file concerning an exploding vape pen is imperative. The Law Office of David Kohm have exploding vape pen attorneys that have the knowledge and experience to answer any questions that you have about vape pen explosion lawsuits.
What to do After a Vape Explosion
When an individual’s vape pen explodes, there are steps that he or she should take:
First, check to be sure that everyone close to the explosion is safe. When the explosion has caused a fire, contact the fire department immediately. Those who are injured should seek medical care immediately. Even if injures seem minor, those with any injuries should have them examined by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Next, notify the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the incident. The FDA has a website that keeps records of devices that caused such accidents.
Lastly, be sure to contact a personal injury attorney if you have incurred any injuries from the explosion. A vape attorney can protect your rights.
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