Since being introduced to the market in 2007, the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has risen dramatically. Today millions of people use e-cigarettes and sales of these devices are estimated to be $1.5 billion in the United States alone. However, along with the rise in popularity of this unregulated device, there are also increasing concerns over their apparent risk of fire and explosion.
An e-cigarette is an electronic device that is powered by a battery, usually a lithium-ion battery. In a 2015 case study from the American Journal of Medical Case Reports the Journal reported: “Many e-cigarettes use lithium batteries due to their ability to store large amounts of energy in a compact space. However, the inherent characteristic of lithium batteries can pose a risk of fire and explosion. . . .
The lithium ion battery has separately been described as the ‘mini-bomb in your pocket,’ due to its known ability to spontaneously ignite. Poor design, use of low-quality materials, manufacturing flaws and defects, and improper use and handling can all contribute to a condition known as ‘thermal runaway,’ whereby the internal battery temperature can increase to the point of causing a battery fire or explosion.”
While many modern products are powered by lithium-ion batteries, their potential risk may be increased in e-cigarettes due to the presence of a heating element in the device. In a 2014 report, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warned that “the shape and construction of e-cigarettes can make them more likely than other products with lithium-ion batteries to behave like ‘flaming rockets’ when a battery fails.” According to one professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, the electrolyte (or liquid) inside a lithium-ion battery is basically the equivalent of gasoline. So when these batteries short out, there is a surge of heat that causes this flammable liquid to combust and explode.
These explosions can happen without warning and FEMA reported that many fire or explosion incidents occur when the devices are in use. Known injuries caused by these devices include: deep third-degree burns on the hands, arms, legs, and face; injury to the esophagus and lungs caused by inhalation of flames and scorching hot air; fractured bones; and loss of eyesight.
Lawyers at Beasley Allen are currently investigating potential claims on behalf of individuals who have suffered injuries caused by exploding e-cigarettes. If you would like more information, someone you know has been injured by a fire or explosion of one of these devices, or have questions; you can contact Chris Boutwell, a lawyer in our Toxic Torts Section, at 800-898-2034 or by email at Chris.Boutwell@beasleyallen.com.
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