Exploding Kanger E-Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes claim to create a healthier and more pleasant smoking experience. These battery-powered devices often look like regular cigarettes. However, instead of burning tobacco, they convert a liquid substance containing nicotine and flavoring or just flavoring alone into a vapor that the user inhales. Many cigarette users have turned to e-cigarettes for health, appearance, and convenience reasons. Unfortunately, these e-cigarettes have led to a new safety concern – exploding batteries.

Numerous consumers have been injured due to defective Kanger e-cigs. If you or a loved one were hurt by this type of product, contact our Belleville product liability lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC at (618) 767-6293 right away to schedule an initial case consultation.

E-Cigarettes’ Risk of Explosion

E-cigarettes are powered by lithium-ion batteries. This type of battery is small and powerful. However, if it is defective, used inappropriately, or fails for another reason, the results can be catastrophic. An explosion and resulting fire can cause users or individuals nearby to suffer significant burns, disfigurements, and disabilities.

Unfortunately, battery explosions in Kanger e-cigs have been caused by a number of issues, including:

• Temperature issues- Lithium-ion batteries can malfunction in extremely cold or hot temperatures.
• An electrical short- When there is an electrical short, the surge can cause the flammable electrolyte to explode.
• A manufacturing defect- Well-made lithium-ion batteries rarely fail. However, cheaper batteries that are not as well made have a much higher rate of manufacturing defects that could lead to failures and explosions.
• Charging issues- Lithium-ion batteries should not be overcharged or charged too quickly. If they are defectively designed or used with inappropriate chargers, this can cause a problem.

Kanger e-cigarettes have been known to explode without warning while in a user’s pocket or hand. Numerous explosions have occurred during active use, leading to serious injuries on a person’s hands, mouth, and face.

Physicians Believe E-Cigarette Explosions More Common Than Reported

Anyone who searches for e-cigarette explosion statistics will find this type of accident appears to be rare. The U.S. Fire Administration reported only 25 explosions between January 2009 and August 2014. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had even fewer reports for the same time period. However, according to a Consumer Reports investigation, physicians and more recent studies are finding e-cigarette explosions are more common than the current statistics report. It is entirely possible e-cigarette-related injuries are under reported to federal authorities as individuals handle them on their own through their own health insurance.

Your Legal Options After an E-Cigarette Explosion

If you were injured after an e-cigarette exploded, contact our experienced product liability attorneys at The Cates Law Firm, LLC right away. Depending on the cause of the explosion, you may have a right to file a claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of the e-cigarette or battery.

As your attorneys, we will investigate your situation to determine the likely cause of the explosions, such as a design or manufacturing defect. With this information in hand, we can move forward with an insurance claim or lawsuit against the appropriate party. With a product liability claim, we can seek to obtain compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of quality of life or of normal life

You would not be the first to file suit for injuries sustained by a defective e-cigarette or lithium-ion battery. Numerous suits have been filed against manufacturers, distributors, and local retailers, including Kangertech, Merrimack, Sigelei, and iPV Technology Co.

Let us help you recover the compensation you deserve under the law. Contact us online, or call (618) 767-6293 to schedule a case consultation.