Doctors Are Seeing Increase in E-Cigarette Injuries
On October 6, 2016, The New England Journal of Medicine published a letter written by several concerned doctors regarding the number of injuries they are treating resulting from exploding e-cigarettes. The doctors describe that in just 9 months their hospital alone has treated 15 patients with injuries from e-cigarette explosions due to a failure in the device’s lithium-ion battery. The doctors emphasize that they are not alone in treating such injuries, finding over 25 other reports of e-cigarette explosions in the public media and medical literature.
Explosions from e-cigarettes can cause injuries to the face, hands, and thigh/groin. Reported injuries resulting from the initial blast, flames, or the released battery chemicals have included wounds such as tooth loss, extensive soft tissue loss, and chemical skin burns. These injuries can be extremely serious causing both cosmetic and functional harm. The doctors explain that the severe nature of these injuries often requires extensive multidisciplinary care including emergency medicine, plastic surgeons, burn care experts, vocational counselors, and psychologist.
E-cigarettes are not the only commonly used devices that employ a lithium-ion battery for power. Most cell phones and many other electronic devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries. There have also been reports of similar injuries related to a lithium-ion battery failure with these other electronic devices.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries that you believe were caused by an e-cigarette or other electronic device’s lithium-ion battery, contact one of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Burg Simpson today. Our award-winning lawyers would be happy to discuss your potential claim. Call 1-800-713-9340 or fill out our contact form for a FREE no-obligation consultation today
