Vaping Injuries: What to Know About Your Potential Settlement Case

The Dangers of Vaping: Investigating the Link Between E-cigarettes and Lung Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating an outbreak of lung injuries in those who use e-cigarettes, also known as vapes. Although the CDC and FDA have made progress in identifying what is causing the lung injuries, emergency department visits related to vaping have increased sharply since August 2019, according to a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas.

 

National Data

Data collected from patient reports and product sample testing suggest that THC-containing vape products are linked to the largest percentage of lung illnesses. As of January 2020, 82 percent of the patients who were hospitalized used THC-containing products and 33 percent reported excessive use of products containing THC. In addition, it appears that many of the problems stem from people obtaining the vaping products from informal sources, including friends, family or online dealers. In fact, a Las Vegas injury lawyer said, only 16 percent reported only purchasing from reliable sources such as medical dispensaries, vape or smoke shops. The culprit appears to be Vitamin E acetate, which is added to some THC products, a substance that has been known to irritate lungs.

 

Lung Illness

Vaping, which had been considered a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, may be far more harmful than first believed. The investigation by the CDC and FDA began when many young people who were previously healthy began exhibiting severe lung symptoms that required extensive hospitalizations. In some cases, lung illness led to death. The illness begins as shortness of breath, fever, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients also claimed to have headaches, dizziness, and chest pain. Often, the condition of the patient deteriorates rapidly, leading to long stays in intensive care units. In addition, doctors are unable to tell patients if their lungs will ever fully recover, news that can be devastating for someone who is in their teens or early 20s.

 

Vaping Lawsuits

E-cigarette manufacturers are now facing many lawsuits from those who suffered from debilitating lung injuries, according to a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas. As of October 2019, there were more than 1,500 cases of the illness and 33 deaths. Because many vaping manufacturers market to young people, some of the lawsuits are requiring them to change their marketing methods. Others claim that because the nicotine levels in one e-cigarette pod are far higher than in a single cigarette, the vapes get people addicted much faster. Other lawsuits claim actual damages, including one young woman who claims vaping caused seizures and another claiming that the use of e-cigarettes caused a massive stroke.

If e-cigarettes have injured you or a loved one, contact the Las Vegas injury lawyer most trusted by Las Vegas residents, The Schnitzer Firm. You can arrange for a no-obligation appointment by calling 702-960-4050, by email at contact@theschnitzerlawfirm.com or by filling out the secure online form.