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Popcorn Lung Class Action Lawsuit

The chronic lung disease Popcorn Lung has been linked to inhalation of toxic flavor chemicals. Now, a growing number of class actions have been filed against vaping liquid manufacturers for selling products with diacetyl and acetylpropionyl.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaping induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with “Popcorn Lung,” 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 toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

“Popcorn Lung” and Vaping

Popcorn Lung is a nickname for bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe lung disease that sickened nearly 200 popcorn factory workers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Investigators traced the disease to inhalation of artificial butter flavoring, which contained diacetyl.

The problem is that diacetyl (or its substitutes 2,3-pentanedione, acetyl propionyl, and acetoin) is also a common flavoring ingredient in vaping liquids and traditional tobacco cigarettes. Many people who switched to vaping because they thought it was “healthier” were still breathing toxic chemicals.

According to a recent study by researchers at Harvard, most sweet-flavored vaping liquids contain diacetyl or another dangerous flavoring chemical — and some products contain significantly more than the occupational exposure limit set by OSHA.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

“Popcorn Lung” is a chronic lung disease that scars tiny air-sacs and narrows the airways. People with this disease have trouble breathing and catching their breath. Symptoms typically worsen over time, and they may include:

  • Dry cough
  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of breath, especially on exertion
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Night sweats
  • And more

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Five Pawns, LLC

In November 2015, Five Pawns, Inc. was hit with a class action lawsuit (PDF) in California. The company is accused of selling flavored vaping products with diacetyl [DA] and 2,3-pentanedione [AP] in the “highest concentration that has ever been seen in any e-liquid.” According to the complaint:

“Absolute Pin tested at 40 μg/ml of DA and an astonishing 2,500 μg/ml of AP. This means, if a person inhales just 2ml of Absolute Pin e-liquid they will be over the recommended intake for DA and more than 36 times over the recommended daily limit for AP.”

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Cuttwood, LLC

Cuttwood, LLC was hit with a class action lawsuit (PDF) in California on November 23 (Case No. 8:15-cv-01961). The plaintiffs cite independent analytical reports showing that Cuttwood e-liquids like “Unicorn’s Milk” and “Boss Reserve” contain diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione.

What is the problem?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. However, our lawyers are not currently filing a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of e-cigarette products. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit if you or a family member was diagnosed with:

  • Popcorn Lung
  • Bronchiolitis obliterans
  • Fixed airway disease
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Diseases of the small airway
  • Breathing problems

About Class Actions

A number of class actions have already been filed against vaping liquid manufacturers. These lawsuits are not seeking compensation for injuries — they are seeking compensation on behalf of everyone who purchased a product without knowing the risks.

Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action

The problem with class actions is that they can have disadvantages for people with severe injuries. Members may have to accept higher attorneys’ fees or a “low-ball” settlement. When compensation is awarded in a class action, everyone must divide the payout.

Instead of a class action, our attorneys file individual lawsuits. We only accept cases involving the most serious injuries and we focus on maximizing the payout for each of our clients. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with a lung disease caused by vaping, you may be eligible to join this litigation.

Do I have a Popcorn Lung Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaping induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with “Popcorn Lung,” 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 toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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