At the end of last month, a Texas man died following an e-cigarette explosion in his home. According to the medical examiner’s report, the e-cigarette exploded, cutting a major artery in his neck. This is now the second known person in the United States to have died as a result of an e-cigarette explosion. In recent years, ‘vaping’ (as it’s referred to) has gained a great deal of momentum, with millions of cigarette smokers opting for the seemingly safer option. As many cities have started to ban cigarettes on the sidewalks and city streets, it is no wonder e-cigarettes have become so popular. However, given they are a relatively new development, there are still a lot of questions surrounding their safety.
Exploding E-Cigarettes Lead to Death
On Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 24-year-old William Eric Brown went to his local vaping store, but sadly never returned home. According to Brown’s grandmother, he told her he would be right back. Brown was a licensed electrician who sadly never made it into the vape store, as his e-cigarette appears to have exploded while he was parked outside in his car. Authorities say that the explosion was so hot it actually melted the ashtray in his car, showing just how dangerous these small devices can be.
The Tarrant County Medical examiner stated that Brown died of a “cerebral infarction and herniation,” which occurred when the vape pen sliced into the left artery in his neck. Metal pieces from the vape pen were also found in Brown’s neck following an autopsy and X-ray. This case comes about six months after the first person in the United States died from an exploding e-cigarette – Tallmadge D’Elia. The 38-year-old Florida man was found dead in his mom’s house after officers responded to a fire alarm that went off. He had a wound on his top lip and burns on other areas of his body. The official cause of death was a projectile wound to the head, which was believed to be caused by his e-cigarette.
What to Do If You Are the Victim of an E-Cig Explosion
Consumers all across the world are opting for e-cigarettes to get their nicotine fix, as they provide an alternative to the risk of smoking. These electronic devices are comprised of several different components, including a heating element (atomizer/cartomizer), a liquid solution made from either propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, and nicotine that comes in a wide range of flavors. For the vape pen to work properly, all these components must be manufactured and engineered safely. Unfortunately, as we have seen with the two cases mentioned above, not all e-cigarettes are safe for us. In a five-year span, at least 25 people have been injured as a result of exploding e-cigarettes.
If you have been injured by a poor-quality e-cigarette, you may be able to take legal action. While many e-cigarette companies are creating high-quality products that are tested and safe for us, others continue to put unsafe products out there. These corporations must be held accountable for this blatant disregard for consumers’ safety. E-cigarette explosions can lead to serious burn injuries that can require multiple bone grafts, reconstructive surgeries, and a lifetime of rehabilitation. The Dallas personal injury lawyers at Shamieh Law are here to listen to you and help you take action. If you have been the victim of an explosion or other injuries from an e-cigarette explosion, please contact the Lake Charles personal injury lawyers at Shamieh Law today.