Committed To You - Since 1956

Vaping products can be dangerous

On Behalf of | Jan 25, 2021 | Dangerous Product Injuries |

Vaping products have become increasingly popular in North Carolina and around the country because they are marketed as “safe” or “safer” alternatives to cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other forms of the drug that are known to cause cancer, heart disease, and a number of other chronic, and sometimes fatal, illnesses. However, they are not as safe as people have been led to believe.

The potential dangers of vaping products

Federal regulators do not inspect vaping products (even ones imported from regions with developing economies like China) for safety and quality in the same way that, for example, they inspect pharmaceutical medications. Add on the unregulated market the fact that it is relatively new, and we have a recipe for unsafe, impure, and otherwise dangerous vaping products to flood the market. Specifically, one of the most recent concerns regarding so-called vaping “pens” is the type of lithium-ion battery cells that they commonly use, which can overheat, causing explosions or fires that can be fatal.

What legal options are available if you are injured?

Under product liability law, you might be entitled to compensation for injuries that you sustain due to deceptive or negligent practices by the manufacturer, retailer, or any other party that is deemed to be in what is termed the chain of distribution. In the case of the batteries previously referred to, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that they could explode and cause serious burn injuries, some of which could be fatal. If you have been harmed by a dangerous or defective product, you might find it advisable to meet with an experienced attorney to learn more about how you can seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses that you have sustained.