In 1998, a public health victory was declared as cigarette companies lost a massive lawsuit that confirmed once and for all that their products were lethal. As time passed, children were taught that cigarettes were dangerous and to be avoided. Then, in the 2010s, a new lung health danger began: e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, also called vapes, vape pens, or JUULs, are a type of electronic device that is meant to mimic the feeling of smoking. E-cigarettes consist of a tank that contains the e-cigarette liquid, a battery, an atomizer to convert the liquid into a vapor, and a mouthpiece to receive the vapor.
These devices emerged in the American market around 2003 and by 2018, 40 million people were using e-cigarettes. This explosion in use and popularity has led to a booming industry that has left regulators in the dust. E-cigarette companies have committed some very harmful practices ranging from the way that they construct their products to the way they market them.
One of the most dangerous e-cigarette injuries is caused by the battery. Many e-cigarettes use a lithium-ion battery. These batteries are inexpensive and easy to produce. They are also highly explosive if exposed to high temperatures. There have been numerous lawsuits filed against e-cigarette manufacturers by people who have been burned or even lost body parts as their e-cigarette overheated and exploded in their pocket, hand, or mouth.
Another cause for concern with e-cigarettes is their long-term effects on the body. Most Americans know today that tobacco cigarettes leave tar and other chemical residue in the lungs. Most Americans did not know, however, that e-cigarettes can cause a dangerous health condition.
E-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury, EVALI for short, is a medical condition caused by e-cigarettes. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever and chills, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and chest pain. The cause is still the subject of medical studies and the effects can be deadly.
Despite these risks, e-cigarette companies have allegedly marketed their products to minors. Though they initially claimed that e-cigarettes were a tool to help tobacco smokers wean off of nicotine, multiple studies and lawsuits have concluded that companies like JUUL Labs used young models and hip advertising to market e-cigarettes to underage children.
Their marketing has unfortunately proved successful. In a 2020 survey, 20% of high schoolers responded that they had used e-cigarettes at least once in the last 30 days. These actions by e-cigarette companies have led to multiple lawsuits.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or have become addicted to e-cigarettes as a minor, you may be able to recover financial compensation. Thousands of injured consumers are filing lawsuits in multidistrict litigations (MDLs) to take on companies like Puff Bar and JUUL Labs. In order to join these MDLs, you will need the help of a mass torts attorney.
An experienced mass torts attorney can help you file your case to join an e-cigarette MDL. Additionally, a mass torts attorney can represent your interests in settlement negotiations and reject offers that would earn you less than you deserve. The best mass torts attorneys can be found at Attorney at Law.
At AAL, our nationwide network of attorneys and law firms allows us to match you with the mass torts attorney in your area who best meets your needs. Our partners have the resources, legal expertise, and experience to face off against the biggest corporations in America and emerge victorious.
In addition to a proven case record, our partners also excel in client care. We understand that lawsuits are stressful and potentially financially draining. That’s why our attorneys work on contingency. That means if you don’t win, you don’t pay.
Don’t wait. Contact AAL today for a free, no obligation consultation and begin your journey to justice.
