Smoking has long been known to present serious health risks to young adults. However, when the use of e-cigarettes, also known as vape pens, became popular a few years back, many young adults assumed that this new form of smoking was safer than traditional cigarettes. For several reasons, that is not the case. In fact, e-cigarette and vape pen accidents have been the basis of many Texas personal injury lawsuits.
Since the U.S. Fire Administration began keeping track of e-cigarette injuries in 2009, there have been 195 documented incidents of vape pens exploding. These incidents injured 133 people, and of those, 38 people required hospitalization as a result of their injuries. Most of these injuries consisted of chemical burns and blast injuries to the face, hands, thighs, and groin.
Vaping presents many of the same risks as smoking traditional cigarettes, and also carries several unique risks. For example, according to a recent report by WebMD, in 2018, a vape pen exploded in a teen’s face, breaking his jaw. Apparently, the pen exploded during regular use.
The incident required the teen to undergo several surgeries to repair the damage that was done by the exploding vape pen. It also knocked out several of the teen’s teeth. His mouth was wired shut for six weeks, and he could only eat liquids through a straw during that time.
Experts are looking into what may cause e-cigarettes to explode. Some hypothesize that the explosions may be due to faulty lithium-ion batteries. Regardless, most experts agree that the injuries caused by vape pens will only continue to increase as more and more people use them.
For those who use e-cigarettes, it is recommended to take the following precautions:
- Purchase vape pens with added safety features, such as vent holes to prevent the pen from overheating.
- Replace the batteries of any e-cigarette that gets wet.
- When storing loose batteries, keep them in a case to avoid contact with keys, loose change, or other items that it may come into contact with.
- Charge vape pens and e-cigarettes using the charger that came with the device.
- Refrain from charging a vape pen overnight, or leaving it unattended as it charges.
Because it is not always known what causes a vape pen to explode, it may be that all the precaution in the world cannot prevent a defective unit from exploding. Anyone injured as a result of e-cigarette or vape pen use should discuss their situation with a dedicated Texas personal injury lawyer.
Have You Been Injured Due to an Exploding Vape Pen or E-Cigarette?
If you or someone you love has recently suffered a serious injury after a vape pen or e-cigarette explosion, contact the San Antonio personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw. At Carabin Shaw, we represent injury victims in all types of claims, including Texas product liability cases. We are in frequent contact with an extensive network of expert witnesses across the nation who we consult with to help prove our clients’ cases. To learn more about how we can help you, call 800-862-1260 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.