E-Cig Explosion Causes New Yorker to Suffer Serious Burns

A worker at a wine shop in Grand Central Terminal had the scare of his life when sparks appeared to shoot from the pocket of his pants like fireworks due to an e-cig explosion.

Otis G. was sent to the Burn Center at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center to take care of the burns from the e-cig explosion that caused him to fear for his life.

He said he feels lucky to be alive, but worries he will have permanent injuries due to the e-cigarette explosion.

Otis recalls he was just simply talking with a coworker when all of a sudden his Wimsec Reuleax RX200 vape device exploded in his pocket.

“I seen the sparks and was trying to get it out of my pocket,” Otis recalls. “Then I heard an explosion, it was like firecrackers, a couple of blooms.” He continues, “I was trying to get it out but it was too hot to handle so I dropped it on the ground. I knew I was hurt, but I didn’t know how badly.”

When the police arrived at the wine shop, they advised Otis to grab cold water and pour it on his thigh and hand which were severely burned.

The entire incident had been caught on the in-store surveillance camera, and after it was posted online, it went viral. The video shows Otis hopping around the store as sparks shoot from his pocket while he tries to escape the e-cig explosion and get rid of the device.

“When I saw that video it was unbelievable,” Otis stated. “It’s no laughing matter. The pain was horrible and I’m fighting for my future now. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to use my hand and write OK, or walk OK. And I know I’m going to have scars. The pain is horrible.”

Otis had to undergo skin graft surgery where skin was removed from his left thigh and was transplanted to his burned right side.

Despite the FDA being made aware of 92 instances of fire or e-cig explosions between 2009 and 2015, Otis said he had never heard of the safety issues surrounding the electronic device.

Other vape pen explosion occurrences have also been reported. These E-cigarettes have exploded not only in users’ pockets, but also in their faces, hands and near other parts of the body.

Some have experienced fractured bones and have even had their eyesight damaged, with some requiring surgery to repair the damage done by an e-cig explosion.

The e-cig explosion and fire occurrences connected with the vape device are reportedly linked to the product’s lithium battery. When the battery gets too hot, or is damaged, it can explode. Coincidentally, the battery issue is the same reason why hoverboards may be exploding as well.

Now knowing the safety risks associated with e-cig use, Otis, father to a seven-year-old son, states, “I will never use it again. And I don’t want what happened to me to happen to somebody else.”

Otis stated that he purchased his e-cigarette from a store in Manhattan known as Vape Easy.

The owner of the store said there had not been any prior complaints about vape pen battery explosions and that the employees of the store are proactive in letting customers know about the only three safe locations for a battery are keeping it in the device, storing it in a case or having it in the charger, and they should never be placed in a pocket or purse.

Signs instructing about battery safety are displayed all over Vape Easy, and the owner said that battery warnings are placed on each package of batteries specifically stating not to place them in pockets.

Taking Legal Action Over E-Cig Explosion

If you have been the victim of an e-cig explosion, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your injury. Lawyers are investigating the possibility of a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of e-cigarettes. A lawyer can review your case at no charge and can help advise you on your legal options.

Join a Free Exploding E-Cigarette Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one was injured and hospitalized by an exploding e-cigarette, you may qualify to join this e-cigarette class action lawsuit investigation.