Vape Explosion Leads New Hampshire Man To File E-Cigarette Burn Lawsuit

A New Hampshire man who said he was badly burned when the battery of his nicotine vaporizer exploded has filed an e-cigarette burn lawsuit against the manufacturer and the store where he bought it.

The 26-year-old plaintiff, Matthew G., suffered severe burns on his hands and legs after the battery of an e-cigarette exploded in his pocket while he was at his workplace.

He is suing Shenzen Kanger Technology Co., the Chinese company that made the e-cigarette, and Smokers Haven in New Hampshire where he purchased the device.

According to the e-cigarette burn lawsuit, Matthew obtained second- and third-degree burns as a result of the incident. A surveillance video shows smoke from the explosion emerging from Matthew.

Matthew, an employee at the store that assembled his vaporizer, had to undergo two separate surgeries and also received multiple skin grafts. His recovery is expected to take months, the e-cigarette burn lawsuit states.

“The public needs to be aware about the possible dangers involved with e-cigarettes and vaporizers,” Matthew’s attorney said in a press release. “The victim would hate to see this happen to someone else. More and more people are vaping, thinking it’s a safe alternative to smoking. But there are serious risks involved.”

The Trouble with E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries. They create a vapor for users to inhale, with a LED light at the top that is triggered to simulate the flame seen in a regular cigarette.

Lithium-ion batteries are a popular power source for portable devices, but they can leak, especially when constructed as a small cylinder, such as in an e-cigarette.

If the battery leaks into the e-cigarette battery chamber, pressure can build. Combined with overheating, the flammable and combustible electrolyte fluid leaked from the battery can cause the e-cigarette to explode and shoot across a room.

Filing an E-Cigarette Burn Lawsuit

Matthew’s e-cigarette burn injury is just one of reportedly dozens as of late. In December 2016, a New York man survived a terrifying e-cigarette explosion that caused burns to his leg, thigh and hand.

In November 2016, a Florida man who allegedly suffered severe burns from exploding e-cigarettes filed an e-cigarette burn lawsuit against the manufacturers and retailers of the device. Plaintiff James L., a 23-year man from Georgia suffered severe injuries after his e-cig blew up in his face while he was vaping on July 29, 2015.

Another e-cigarette burn lawsuit also filed in Florida federal court was brought by plaintiff James D., whose vape exploded in his pocket in December 2015, requiring emergency room treatment and surgery in a burn unit.

And just this past September, a jury awarded a woman $1.9 million in damages as part of one of the first e-cigarette burn lawsuits filed in the U.S., after she was caught in a car fire and badly burned when her e-cigarette battery ignited while charging.

If you suffered an e-cigarette explosion may be able to sue e-cigarette companies for product liability in individual or class action lawsuit. An experienced attorney can review your case at no cost and advise you of your legal options in regards to filing an e-cigarette burn lawsuit.