E-Cigarette and Vape Pen Explosion Injury Claims

Helping Victims of E-Cigarette and Vape Pen Explosions Nationwide

E-cigarettes and vape pens are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, but they come with their own set of risks — including battery explosions. Vape pens use lithium-ion batteries, which, when defective or damaged, can overheat and cause fires or explosions. These incidents often lead to severe injuries, including burns, lacerations, and even permanent disfigurement. In some tragic cases, they can result in death.

At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we represent victims who have been injured in e-cigarette and vape pen explosions. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by a faulty vape pen or e-cigarette, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.

Why Do E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens Explode?

E-cigarettes and vape pens rely on lithium-ion batteries to power them. These batteries are compact and powerful, but when they malfunction, they can pose significant risks. Thermal runaway, a process where the battery overheats and causes a chemical reaction, is the most common cause of explosions. This can occur for various reasons, including:

• Manufacturing defects – Poor quality control can lead to internal battery defects that cause overheating.
• Using incompatible or cheap chargers – Not using the correct charger for the device can result in overcharging, which damages the battery and may cause it to overheat.
• Physical damage – Dropping the device or exposing the battery to extreme temperatures can cause internal shorts or ruptures in the battery.
• Counterfeit products – The market is flooded with counterfeit vape pens that often use poorly manufactured batteries, which are prone to malfunction.

In some cases, these explosions can occur when the device is charging or when the user is actively vaping, making the risks highly unpredictable.

Common Injuries from E-Cigarette and Vape Pen Explosions

The injuries caused by e-cigarette and vape pen explosions can be severe, and in many cases, they are life-changing. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Severe burns: The high heat from an exploding battery can cause first- to third-degree burns, often requiring surgery or skin grafts.
• Facial injuries: Vape explosions often occur close to the face, leading to burns, broken bones, eye injuries, and dental trauma.
• Lacerations: The explosion of a vape pen can send shrapnel and debris flying, resulting in cuts and lacerations, often to the face, arms, or hands.
• Trauma from blast injuries: The force of an explosion can cause internal injuries, such as ruptured eardrums, concussions, or broken bones.
• Smoke inhalation: Victims of vape pen explosions may also suffer from inhaling smoke or toxic fumes that are released during the fire.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement: Beyond physical injuries, many victims are left with permanent scarring, which can cause long-term emotional distress.

In many cases, victims face long-term rehabilitation, expensive medical treatments, and a lifetime of physical and emotional scars.

Who Is Liable for Vape Pen and E-Cigarette Explosions?

There are several parties that may be responsible for vape pen and e-cigarette explosions, depending on the circumstances:

1. Manufacturers of E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens

The manufacturer of the vape pen or e-cigarette may be liable for producing a defective product. If the battery or device was poorly designed or manufactured, the company may be held responsible for any injuries caused by the explosion.

2. Battery Manufacturers

Many e-cigarettes and vape pens use lithium-ion batteries from third-party manufacturers. If the battery is defective or lacks necessary safety mechanisms, the battery manufacturer may be liable for any injuries caused by the explosion.

3. Retailers

Retailers who sell defective or unsafe e-cigarette and vape pens may also be held responsible, particularly if they sell counterfeit or unregulated products that don’t meet safety standards.

4. Chargers and Accessories Manufacturers

The charger used to power the device is a critical component of the vape pen’s safety. If a faulty or incompatible charger is responsible for the battery malfunction, the charger manufacturer or retailer may be held accountable.

5. Importers

In cases where the e-cigarette or vape pen was imported from another country, the importers may share responsibility for selling unsafe products in the U.S. without appropriate testing or warnings.

Steps to Take After an E-Cigarette or Vape Pen Explosion

If you or someone you know is injured due to an e-cigarette or vape pen explosion, it’s important to take immediate action to protect your rights:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
   Burn injuries, trauma from the explosion, and smoke inhalation can lead to serious health complications. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Preserve the Evidence
   Do not discard the damaged vape pen, e-cigarette, or battery. These items are crucial evidence in your claim. Store them in a safe, fireproof container until the legal team can examine them.
3. Take Photos and Videos
   Document the damage to the device, your injuries, and the scene where the incident occurred. This visual evidence can be crucial in proving your case.
4. File a Report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
   You may wish to report the incident to the CPSC to assist in product recalls or warnings, which could support your claim and potentially prevent future injuries to others.
5. Contact a Product Liability Lawyer
   The sooner you involve an attorney, the better. Lawyers with experience in product liability can help guide you through the process, from investigating the cause of the explosion to filing a lawsuit.

Compensation in Vape Pen and E-Cigarette Explosion Lawsuits

Victims of vape pen and e-cigarette explosions may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages, including:

• Medical expenses: From initial treatment to long-term rehabilitation, you can seek reimbursement for all medical costs related to the explosion.
• Lost wages: If your injuries cause you to miss work or impact your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages or loss of future earnings.
• Pain and suffering: Burn victims and those who experience long-term trauma can seek compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by their injuries.
• Emotional distress: Injuries like facial disfigurement and scarring can cause long-term psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety.
• Disfigurement and scarring: Severe burns or injuries that lead to permanent scars may entitle victims to additional compensation.
• Wrongful death: If a loved one dies due to a vape pen or e-cigarette explosion, surviving family members may be entitled to wrongful death compensation.

Our goal is to ensure you’re fully compensated for all the ways this injury has impacted your life.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin?

Vape pen and e-cigarette explosion cases often require knowledge of product liability law and an understanding of the engineering behind these devices. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we have represented many clients in product liability cases, including cases involving defective batteries.

• Comprehensive Investigation: We work with experts in engineering, fire science, and medical fields to investigate the cause of the explosion and determine who is liable.
• Experience with Complex Cases: We have experience with product liability cases involving high-tech products, including e-cigarettes and vape pens.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We operate on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay no fees or costs unless we win or settle your case.

To learn more about product liability and how we can help, visit our Product Liability page on JasonTurchin.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes vape pens to explode?
Vape pen explosions are typically caused by a malfunction in the battery, often due to defects in the battery itself, using the wrong charger, overcharging, or physical damage to the device.

Can I sue for an e-cigarette explosion injury?
Yes, if the explosion was caused by a defect in the product or battery, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, battery maker, retailer, or importer.

How do I know if my vape pen was defective?
A product may be defective if it lacks safety features, if it was made with faulty materials, or if it was improperly assembled. An experienced lawyer can help investigate the cause.

What compensation can I get if injured by a vape pen explosion?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, emotional distress, and, in some cases, wrongful death.

How long do I have to file a vape pen explosion lawsuit?
In most cases, you have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit if the accident was in Florida, though the timeline may vary depending on state laws.

Contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin – E-Cigarette Explosion Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a vape pen or e-cigarette explosion, don’t wait. Contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today for a free consultation. We handle product liability cases involving defective electronic devices and can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Call 800-337-7755 or start a live chat now.