JUUL Vaping Injuries & Dangers

Colburn Law

Posted in Safety Tips on November 13, 2019

Vaping is a relatively new activity in the United States and in Washington state, and vape manufacturers, such as JUUL, often market their products as safe alternatives to smoking. However, since vaping is such a recent trend, we do not know how serious the long-term effects of these devices can be – and some JUUL users are experiencing severe injuries as a result of using these products.

What Are JUULS?

JUUL is a popular brand of electronic cigarettes known for its bright, attractive advertising campaigns and sleek devices. JUULs look similar to USB flash drives, and users vape with these products by inhaling an e-liquid made with nicotine, chemicals, and various flavorings. Popular JUUL flavors include mango, mint, fruit, and crème.

When you inhale a JUUL, the liquid heats up with the power of the device’s battery and heating coils. During the heating process, the liquid turns into a vapor that you inhale into your lungs, much like cigarette smoke.

While JUUL’s products are more attractive and come in more appealing flavor than cigarettes, one pod of JUUL’s e-liquid actually contains the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. In addition, JUUL pods have a higher concentration of nicotine than cigarettes – and as a result, the absorption rate for nicotine is much higher with a JUUL than a cigarette.

The Risks of JUULs

Many people who use JUULs are young adults, people who want to quit smoking, and underage minors, especially teenagers. Because of the way that we currently view JUULs and how JUUL tends to market itself, these users may not be able to recognize the various risks that come with using these devices.

Since JUULs contain such a high amount of nicotine, it is very easy for you to develop an addiction to these devices. Even if you do not use your JUUL every day, you can still develop an addiction – and how quick this addiction develops can vary.

The e-liquid inside of a JUUL and the act of inhaling this vapor can also be significantly dangerous, aside from the nicotine content. Inhaling an e-liquid through a vape can lead to heavy metal particles traveling through the vapor and into your lungs, such as lead, nickel, and chromium. As a result, these metals can lodge themselves into your lung tissue.

Chemicals found in e-liquids include formaldehyde, chemicals found in paint thinner, and chemicals used to kill algae. Studies show that these chemicals can lead to popcorn lung, a serious condition that can lead to coughing and shortness of breath.

The high concentration of nicotine in a JUUL pod increases the user’s risk for developing nicotine poisoning, which can lead to seizures, convulsions, and stroke. In addition, using a JUUL can come with the following health risks.

• Heart attack
• Respiratory distress
• Chronis Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• The development of asthma
• Severe damage to your lungs
• Death

These injuries can severely impact your life and the lives of your loved ones, and due to the popularity of JUUL, few users understand these risks until a medical emergency occurs.

Filing a Lawsuit Against JUUL

If you or a loved one are a victim of a JUUL vaping injury, you may face significant damage to your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. You may face expensive medical bills, a reduced quality of life due to your injuries, or the loss of consortium or companionship as a result of the death of a loved one. In these situations, you have the right to claim compensation through a lawsuit against JUUL.

You can claim economic and non-economic expenses by filing a lawsuit in civil court against this manufacturer. To do so, you will need to contact an attorney who is working on JUUL vaping lawsuits and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Your lawyer will then walk you through the lawsuit filing process from the time you file to the settlement outcome.

If you or a loved one are the victim of a JUUL-related vaping injury, contact a lawyer working on JUUL litigation as soon as you can.