Exploding E-cigarette Injures Orlando Woman, Sets Car Ablaze

An Orlando woman suffered first and second degree burns and lost one tooth after her e-cigarette exploded in her mouth. The woman was sitting in her rental car outside of a friend’s house when the accident occurred.

After the explosion, the injured woman ran into her friend’s house to call 911. Five minutes later, when the woman and her friends came to to leave for the emergency room, the rental car was completely engulfed in flames.

The victim has already retained a personal injury lawyer to investigate her case and possibly file civil suits against the manufacturer and sellers for placing the potentially defective product in the stream of commerce. The woman used e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation for several years prior to the accident.

What are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes battery powered devices that vaporize liquids to mimic the feeling of smoking traditional tobacco. Heating coils atomize aerosols known as “e-juice” into vapor. Smoking e-cigarettes is commonly known as “vaping.

Smoking e-cigarettes is often touted as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes since no smoke or carcinogens are produced. Some evidence suggest the devices may help some quit smoking tobacco but definitive studies have yet to be conducted.

The latest in a series of accidents

The tragic accident that befell the Orlando woman is just the latest in a series of e-cigarette accidents across Florida. In October 2015, an e-cigarette exploded in a man’s pocket as he played golf and was taken to Cape Coral hospital.

An even more tragic accident took place in 2015 when a Naples man had to be placed in a medically induced coma after his e-cigarette exploded in his mouth. That man also retained a personal injury lawyer and filed suit in Miami-Dade against the device’s seller.

Dangers of e-cigs

Much of the danger surrounding e-cigarettes stems from the volatile batteries and heating coils used to heat the nicotine infused water to create vapor. These batteries are often constructed from substandard materials in China and other countries.

The batteries may become unstable and seem able capable of exploding at any moment. Tragic cases often result in broken or lost teeth, severe burns, or even blindness. Lawsuits have been filed in Florida and across the U.S. alleging e-cigarette makers knew of the dangers of their devices yet chose to sell them anyways.

Orlando products liability lawyers

Although The Pendas Law Firm did not provide legal representation to any of the parties in the aforementioned e-cigarette injury lawsuits, our lawyers regularly represent the legal interests of personal injury victims harmed by dangerous or defective products. Corporations have a legal duty to design and manufacture safe products for consumption by the general public.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a defectively designed or manufactured product, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. For a consultation about your case, contact The Pendas Law Firm. Our Orlando personal injury attorneys serve clients in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale & Miami.