Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys can explain how vape or e-cigarette-related injuries can entitle you to a fair settlement. We will investigate your case and gather evidence that links your symptoms to electronic cigarette companies like Juul.
E-cigarettes and vaping are linked to lung injuries like popcorn lung, lipoid pneumonia, or collapsed lungs, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
If you suffer lung injuries because of e-cigarettes and vaping, you may be able to hold the company that sold you the product accountable. Companies like Juul may be liable for any illness or injury you suffer from because of their e-cigarette products.
Lung Injuries You Could Suffer If You Use Vapes or E-Cigarette Products
While research about the long-term effects of vaping is ongoing, many doctors and scientists agree that e-cigarette use isn’t healthy for your lungs. When you vape, you inhale chemicals like diacetyl, formaldehyde, and acrolein, which all contribute to vaping-related lung and heart disease.
Nicotine-containing products like e-cigarettes can also cause vaping-associated pulmonary injuries, like:
Popcorn Lung
Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), or popcorn lung, is caused by exposure to diacetyl. Vaping damages and permanently scars the small airways of your lungs. This damage is known as popcorn lung, which can make it hard for you to breathe.
There isn’t a cure for popcorn lung, but a doctor can help you by treating symptoms that include:
- Shortness of breath
- A cough
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
At the onset of symptoms, you should consider working with a healthcare provider to quit using e-cigarettes or vaping products and treat your symptoms.
Lipoid Pneumonia
Inhaling the oily substances that vapes produce can lead to lipoid pneumonia. Lipoid pneumonia differs from regular pneumonia because it is not caused by an infection but rather by inhaling fatty acids into the lungs.
If you have lipoid pneumonia, you may experience symptoms such as:
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
Lipoid pneumonia is treatable, and visiting a doctor can help you control your symptoms while your lungs heal.
Collapsed Lung
A lung can collapse because of e-cigarette or vaping products. Small holes may appear in your lungs, causing oxygen to escape and a lung to collapse. Collapsed lung, also called primary spontaneous pneumothorax, is often painful and can be challenging to recover from, depending on the severity of your condition.
If you use e-cigarette products and experience any of the following symptoms, you may have a collapsed lung:
- Sharp pain in your chest or shoulder
- A hard time breathing
- Shortness of breath
E-cigarette users can visit a doctor to treat their collapsed lung, and the doctor may prescribe oxygen treatments to help with lung repair.
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What You Can Do to Avoid Suffering a Vaping-Associated Lung Injury
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes a decline in emergency department visits linked to e-cigarette use since 2019. The CDC credits this to:
- Public knowledge that vaping is not safe and can present serious risks of injury
- Police action to prohibit the sale of counterfeit electronic cigarettes
- Vape manufacturers remove some of the dangerous chemicals, such as vitamin E acetate, associated with vaping-related lung injuries
You can take steps to prevent the outbreak of lung injuries associated with vaping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:
- Quitting vaping altogether
- Staying away from THC-containing vaping products
- Refusing to use e-cigarettes or vaping products as an alternative to smoking cigarettes
- Avoid vaping products that do not come from trusted product sources, as online dealers could be selling products that contain dangerous chemicals
If you are addicted to vaping, you might consider speaking to your healthcare provider about nicotine replacement therapy. This may help reduce your chances of developing a vaping-associated pulmonary injury.
You Can Take Legal Action If You Suffered a Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Injury
If you experienced an injury or pulmonary disease because of e-cigarette use, you may be able to hold a vape manufacturer like Juul accountable. Our law firm can work with you to prove your injuries were caused by e-cigarette or vaping product use, and you were not warned of the risks vaping can cause.
Our product liability lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation for damages such as:
- Pain and suffering for the physical discomfort your acute lung injury caused
- Medical expenses, including the price of trips to the emergency department, costs of nicotine-replacement therapy, doctor’s visits, medical devices, and medications you needed
- Lost income if you had to spend time away from work to recover from your injuries
- Mental anguish you experienced because of your pulmonary disease
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your respiratory symptoms prevent you from participating in activities you used to love
Nicotine e-cigarettes come with a risk of injury. If the company selling you the e-cigarettes or vaping products did not inform you of the risks, you may be entitled to compensation.
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How do You Know If You Qualify for Compensation in an E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use Case?
You likely qualify for compensation in a vaping-related injury case if we can prove that the company that manufactured or sold you the product was negligent. For example, we can prove Juul’s negligence by:
- Establishing that they had a duty of care to prevent you from suffering an injury.
- Proving that they breached their duty of care by selling dangerous nicotine e-cigarettes
- Proving that their product caused your lung injury
- Demonstrating that you suffered damages
E-cigarette or vaping product use is risky, and it was Juul’s responsibility to sell you a safe product. Our legal team is prepared to fight your case on your behalf.
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Seeking Justice After Suffering a Vaping-Associated Lung Injury
If you sustained an acute lung injury because of nicotine-containing products, a product manufacturer like Juul may be financially responsible. Our law firm handles cases in which e-cigarette aerosol and other chemicals contribute to lung damage.
If you were hurt because of e-cigarettes or vaping products, reach out to Van Law. We provide e-cigarette users with a free initial consultation, during which they can learn about their legal options. Call today to get started.
No obligation consultations are always free.
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