Orange County
E-Cigarette & Vape Injury Attorneys

Over the years, cigarettes have developed a bad reputation. As smoking started to become taboo, a new and supposedly safer alternative known as e-cigarettes, or vapes, started to surface. A vape pen (or e-cigarette) is an electronic nicotine delivery system that produces a heated vapor, resembling smoke. They were introduced in the United States in 2007. Now, more than 9 million Americans are vaping. Many people are making the decision to use these cigarettes instead of traditional smoking because they wish to live a healthier lifestyle which raises questions about how safe these items truly are. 

There have been numerous reports of these e-cigarettes catching fire or exploding. These explosions are generally due to a faulty battery or charging mechanism. Most of these injuries have caused permanent damage to the victims’ hands, face, or neck. If you have been injured by an exploding e-cig, the experienced Orange County Vape & E-Cigarette Injury Attorney at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can help. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our lawyers represent e-cigarette injury victims across Southern California. To schedule a free consultation with one of our accident attorneys, call 949-727-9300.

What is an E-Cigarette?

E-cigarettes, also referred to as vape pens, have a heating element used to vaporize a liquid solution, sometimes called “juice.” Some vape cigarette brands activate the heating coil automatically when you take a drag. Other brands are manual. A battery pack, typically a cylindrical lithium-ion battery, provides the energy that is used to generate the heat.

Dangerous Batteries and Chargers

Lithium-ion batteries are made with alternating layers of metallic anode and cathode material separated by a porous film. The porous separator film has a liquid electrolyte that can be flammable or combustible. When the batteries overheat, it can cause the flammable electrolyte to explode or catch fire.

Although lithium-ion batteries are also commonly found in laptops and cell phones, they are not as prone to overheating like the ones in vapes and e-cigarettes. What makes vape pen explosions more serious is that the devices are generally in a user’s mouth, face, or pocket when it explodes. This can cause serious injuries to the victim.

 Common Causes of Vape Overheating

Most news reports detailing exploding e-cigarettes do not clarify what brands or makes are most likely to explode. However, research has identified some common factors. Common causes of a vape or e-cig overheating include:

• Overcharge of the battery
• Puncture
• External heat
• Short circuit
• Internal cell fault

Most smokers might not realize that simply carrying an e-cigarette device in their pocket or purse could cause injuries. Most people don’t even think twice before throwing it in with their daily gear to ensure they have it for work or recreation. Unfortunately, what most smokers don’t realize is that these devices can pose serious risks and dangers, even when not plugged in. If an electronic cigarette is in your pocket when it explodes or ignites, it could be too late for you to do anything about it.

There were 2,035 visits to U.S. emergency rooms from 2015 to 2017 for e-cigarette burns and explosion-related injuries. In June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized guidance for manufacturers who are submitting new applications for tobacco products, which includes e-cigarettes. The agency now recommends that companies provide detailed information about the kinds of batteries they use, as well as plans for addressing the likelihood of overheating, fire, and explosion.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an e-vape explosion, you should immediately consult with an experienced Orange County Vape & E-Cigarette Injury Attorney to protect your legal rights.

Decreasing Your Risks of E-Cig Injury

There are some safety tips to help protect e-cig users from suffering serious injuries. A company can be held liable in the event that a smoker is significantly injured by an e-cigarette. Below are some important tips to ensure your safety when using an electronic cigarette: 

• Do not plug the item into a computer or other USB-capable device.
• Understand the danger of using counterfeit materials.
• Only use the power adapter and charger that comes directly with your battery.
• Do not overcharge the battery or leave it plugged in while you’re away from home or while asleep.
• Make sure that you work with a device that has a battery that removes separately from the atomizer in order to charge.
• Use cases to protect your batteries.

Contact a Top-Rated Orange County Vape Explosion Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of an e-cigarette explosion, contact the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates. The Orange County lawyers specialize in handling vape explosion injury cases and have the experience to help you recover your lost wages, medical expenses, and any other costs associated with your injuries.  They will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure that you are rightfully compensated for your injuries. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our lawyers represent vape explosion victims across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of the experienced Orange County Vape & E-Cigarette Injury Attorneys, please call 949-727-9300. The Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates is dedicated to helping victims receive just compensation for their injuries.