Vape pens and e-cigs continue to enjoy popularity all across the state of California, with people using them to consume tobacco, marijuana concentrates, and a variety of aromatic oils. These vapes and pens are powered by lithium batteries, which makes them convenient as they can be easily recharged.
However, this type of battery isn’t always safe to use, especially when manufacturers use cheap or knock off materials. For this post, we’re discussing the risks that shoddily produced vape pens and e-cigs can pose to users, particularly when it comes to the included lithium batteries.
Increasing Reports of Exploding and Combusting Lithium Batteries in Vapes
Over the last few years, reports of exploding or combusting vape/e-cig batteries have continued to mount. Batteries have been known to rapidly heat up in people’s pockets, mouths, and while they hold their vapes, causing serious burns and severe injuries such as holes in people’s tongues or mouths.
This is not just rumors or folk tales being taken out of proportion either. These reports are so recurring that as of 2015, the Federal Aviation Association has banned passengers from carrying vape pens/e-cigs and any batteries in their luggage, as they pose a serious risk of fire.
Holding Responsible Parties Liable for Exploding Vape and E-Cig Batteries
When properly designed and manufactured, vape pen and e-cig batteries don’t pose an increased risk of fire or combustion. However, the industry is filled with knock off or substandard products, a total lack of quality control, a lack of regulations, and other bad practices that lead to a high of faulty batteries.
When lithium batteries explode or combust, causing serious injury or worse, who can be held responsible? This falls under products liability, which means that a variety of parties could be held liable, from vendors and sellers who are aware of potential risks and issues to manufacturers who continue relying on subpar or unsafe batteries and other materials and/or have failed to address known issues.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a faulty battery in a vape pen or e-cig, know that there are ways for you to recover the compensation that you deserve. Here’s where the help of a qualified personal injury attorney is vital, someone who fully understands the ins and outs of product liability laws in California.
To learn more about this topic, and to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney, we invite you to reach out to us at the Law Office of Dean Petrulakis. Remember, we offer no-commitment, free initial consultations, so don’t hesitate to call us at your earliest convenience.