What’s Causing Exploding E-Cigarettes?

May 20,2016

Exploding e-cigarette cases have consistently made headlines over the past few months, and the most recent incident occurred at a Hesperia residence. On Monday, Hesperia Station Deputies and San Bernardino County Fire Department medics responded to a call at the 8200 block of Peach Avenue at 11:28 p.m.

Responders found a man in his 50s with facial burns and injuries. He was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The man’s niece says her uncle had purchased the vaping product the day before the accident. The fire department is investigating the cause of the explosion.

What causes e-cigarettes to explode? In some cases, users charge the devices with a charger not meant for the devices, which causes them to overheat. In a recent case involving an underage child testing a device at a mall kiosk, the e-cigarette was plugged into the wrong battery, causing it to explode.

But a root of the problem likely stems back to lack of regulation of the devices. E-cigarettes use lithium-ion batteries to heat an aerosol cartridge, which releases the vapor. Problems with the batteries—manufacture defects, overcharging, using the wrong charger or battery—can cause it to catch fire or explode. The same problem has occurred with the lithium-ion batteries in hoverboards—another product that has yet to be regulated.

“How many people will be injured by exploding e-cigarettes before they are required to be regulated?” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

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Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured by a defective product and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.