E-cigarettes (or vapes) are linked to an outbreak of lung disease that has killed at least 52 people and injured over 2,400 other victims. Exploding vape batteries have also injured and killed several people.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting e-cigarette induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with lung disease or injured by an exploding battery, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
FDA: “Stop Using THC Vaping Products”
In October 2019, the FDA warned the public to stop using THC vape products, as well as any vaping products off the street, after more than 2,000 reports of lung injuries and 42 deaths nationwide.
52nd Death from Vape Lung Reported; 2,400+ Hospitalized After Vaping
As of December 10, 2019, a total of 2,409 people have been hospitalized with lung injuries related to vaping in all 50 states, including 52 people who died, according to the CDC.
No single product has been identified as the cause of the outbreak, but evidence points to cannabis (THC) vaping products that contain Vitamin E, an oily chemical that may trigger severe lung inflammation. The investigation is still ongoing.
Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably as a thickening agent in THC-containing e-cigarette or vape products, according to the CDC.
All of the victims reported rapidly-worsening symptoms such as cough, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and sometimes nausea or diarrhea. Some of the victims had to be put on ventilators to help them breathe.
E-Cigarette Class Action Lawsuit
Class action lawsuits have already been filed against several e-cigarette manufacturers. In February 2014, NJOY was hit with a class action in California, according to Courthouse News. This lawsuit is not seeking compensation for people with injuries. Instead, it is seeking compensation for everyone who bought this product based on misleading advertising.
The plaintiff, Eric McGovern, alleges that Arizona-based NJOY uses deceptive marketing to promote e-cigarettes as harmless, despite studies showing that some e-cigarette vapor contains formaldehyde and other toxic, cancer-causing chemicals. The lawsuit also alleges that NJOY implies it can help smokers quit, but they avoid federal regulation by stating that NJOY is not a smoking-cessation aid.
Can I Join a Class Action?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but our Product Liability Litigation Group is not filing an e-cigarette class action. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits on behalf of people who were seriously injured by lung diseases or exploding batteries.
Lung Disease Linked to E-Cigarettes
- Popcorn Lung
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Fixed airway obstruction
- Chronic bronchitis
- Asthma
- Seizures
- And more
About Class Actions
Class actions are useful when a large number of people purchase a defective product, but they can have disadvantages for people with severe injuries. Members of class actions often must accept higher attorneys’ fees or a “low-ball settlement.”
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
E-cigarette class actions have already been filed on behalf of everyone who purchased e-cigarettes based on false advertising about their safety or effectiveness as a smoking-cessation aid. This type of lawsuit is not designed to help victims with severe injuries.
Our attorneys understand that many of our clients are suffering devastating losses to their physical, emotional, and financial health. We file individual lawsuits because we believe each of our clients deserves an attorney who is committed to their case.
Do I have an E-Cigarette Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting e-cigarette induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with lung disease or injured by an exploding battery, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
