A young man died after a vape pen exploded as he was using it. Texas man William Brown, aged 24 years old, was using the e-cigarette device when it suddenly blew up in his face. A piece of the vape pen shot through his carotid artery, severing the vein and causing irreparable damage. The incident happened on Jan. 27, and the victim died in the hospital two days later. A witness called an ambulance and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, but could not be saved. Medical examiners confirmed that a piece of metal from the pen had severed the artery and prevented blood from reaching his brain.
Brown bought the exploding e-cigarette just moments before the tragic accident at a store in Fort Worth, Texas. After purchasing the pen, he got into his grandmother’s car and decided to try it out. Grandmother Alice Brown said the device burst and shot across William’s mouth, leaving him bleeding heavily. He managed to crawl out of the car, before collapsing onto the ground.
Explosion Investigation
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the e-cigarette explosion which tragically cut William Brown’s life short. His grandmother told the WFAA that investigators believe a battery malfunction in the device may be to blame for the incident. The explosion also left pieces of melted plastic and debris covering the car.
Several studies have been carried out on the safety of vape pens and e-cigarettes. A report by the Federal Emergency Management Agency lists a total of 195 incidents, reported from 2009-2016, which resulted in e-cigarette injuries of various types. It is believed that this number is the tip of the iceberg, with a huge number of other incidents, injuries, and ER visits, going unreported.
Last year a 38-year-old man in Florida was also killed by an exploding e-cigarette. The incident left the victim with severe burns, while shrapnel was launched into his head.
E-cigarette Liability Issues and Lawsuits
William Brown was not a regular smoker. He decided to try vaping after being told a specialized e-cigarette device might help him to battle the effects of asthma, and the explosion was a tragic accident that ended his life.
Unfortunately, this is far from the first case of e-cigarette problems, and there have been many lawsuits related to faulty vaping devices. It is important for victims and family members to know that they have legal rights if an accident happens. Faulty devices and defective products may result in vape pen liability issues for manufacturers or sellers.
If an e-cigarette accident has resulted in loss or injury, you should explore your legal options with a California personal injury attorney.
