New Jersey E-Cigarette Lawyers Representing those Injured by Vaping
Vaping has been notoriously lauded as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, until now. Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, have been thrust into the national spotlight as scores of reports emerge of illnesses and serious injuries among vaping product users. In response, federal and state government officials have launched investigations into vaping safety risks and some states have enacted bans against e-cigarette products. Officials in New Jersey have responded in kind. Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order creating a vaping task force and the NJ Department of Health is now investigating the potential dangers of vaping devices. Several New Jersey residents have already filed lawsuits against e-cigarette manufacturers.
If you are among those injured by e-cigarettes or vaping, it is vital to understand your rights. Individuals who suffer serious injuries and other harm caused by vaping, may have grounds to pursue damages. At Fronzuto Law Group, our highly experienced attorneys have successfully recovered substantial compensation for clients with product liability claims. To discuss your injuries from electronic cigarette products, and find out whether you may have justification for a lawsuit, call (973)-435-4551 or complete our form to receive a free consultation.
Is Vaping Dangerous?
First, here are the basics of vaping terminology. “Vaping” is the act of using an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. An electronic cigarette is a vaporizer that one holds in their hand while simulating the act of smoking. “E-cigs” run on batteries and provide users with the feeling of smoking, without using tobacco. While companies like JUUL have marketed their vaping products as containing less nicotine than typical cigarettes, they have yet to provide scientific documentation to the FDA to support these claims. In fact, vaping devices have been linked to numerous hospitalizations, addiction, and serious injuries across the United States. According to Department of Health, there have been 530 confirmed cases involving lung conditions that have been associated with e-cigarette use thus far. The health problems potentially linked to electronic cigarettes are now under intensive investigation and scrutiny in New Jersey and nationwide.
Are E-Cigarettes Regulated by the FDA?
Electronic cigarettes have not been specifically regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In other words, there are no current regulations in place that require vaping product manufacturers to provide safety testing results, initial product designs, or data related to the manufacturing process to FDA officials for review. This lack of oversight, combined with aggressive marketing tactics by these companies, has led to an explosion of the e-cigarette industry. Unfortunately consumers, including teens and young adults, have been exposed to serious risks without proper knowledge of the potential dangers of vaping products.
Since serious respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations have been reported, the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control are investigating the association with vaping products. The FDA has warned consumers to consider refraining from vaping until further investigation has been conducted. In addition, FDA officials have issued guidance to healthcare providers, warning of the illnesses possibly associated with e-cigarettes.
The FDA also issued a warning to JUUL, a prominent maker of e-cigarettes, that the manufacturer may be subject to sanctions for illegal marketing practices. Specifically, the FDA cited JUUL for marketing its electronic smoking devices as offering a safer choice than cigarettes. Upon its review, the FDA determined that JUUL had by violating standards by marketing and selling its products to consumers as a safer alternative to tobacco products without obtaining proper permissions from the FDA to do so. In order to make such claims, electronic cigarette manufacturers must submit scientific evidence to support the safety of their products when compared with cigarettes.
What Injuries may be Caused by Electronic Cigarettes?
There have been several studies associating the use of e-cigarettes with serious health risks. In fact, a comprehensive study conducted by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine concluded that there are serious risks associated with using electronic cigarettes. The researchers reviewed over 800 different studies investigating the health effects of vaping, many of which found that e-cigarettes contain potentially toxic substances that may cause lung damage, heart problems, and more. Those who have used e-cigarette products have reported one or more of the following side effects and serious injuries:
- Addiction
- Cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack and heart disease
- Respiratory illness, including pneumonia
- Lung damage
- Lung diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Cognitive problems
- Behavioral issues
- Mental health problems
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Wrongful Death
I Suffered Harm from Vaping, What are my Rights?
If you or someone you love suffered any adverse effects from e-cigarettes, you should always seek medical help right away. If you have already received medical attention, it is also important to seek knowledgeable legal counsel. Consumers with vaping related conditions have not received adequate safety information from product manufacturers, leaving them vulnerable to serious harm. Any individual who has experienced negative health effects from electronic smoking devices may be able to file a lawsuit against the company that marketed the product they were using, as well as other potentially liable parties. Through a successful legal claim, victims can obtain just compensation and hold these organizations accountable for the harm they have caused.
Who Can Help with my Vaping Claim in NJ?
If you have questions about filing a lawsuit for injuries related to e-cigarettes, the experienced vaping injury attorneys at Fronzuto Law Group can help. To receive a free review of your electronic cigarette injury case and learn more about the options that may be available to you, contact our offices in New Jersey at (973)-435-4551 or fill out the form below. Our legal team is available 24/7 to assist you and we provide entirely free, confidential consultations.
Resources:
- Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
- The Impact of E-Cigarettes on the Lung, American Lung Association
