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Exploding E. Cigarette Shatters Nevada Teen's Jaw

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

Exploding E. Cigarette Shatters Nevada Teen's Jaw

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

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Austin Adams, a 17-year-old boy in a small Nevada town was vaping when his e-cigarette exploded in his face blowing a hole through his jaw. According to news reports, Adams traveled 250 miles with a bloody mouth, broken teeth and shattered jaw to a pediatric hospital in Utah with his mother. Doctors rushed him into surgery working to reconstruct and repair the boy's shattered jawbone.

Reports said Adams turned to electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes because he was trying to quit smoking. The device he was using was from a company called VGOD. His mother Kailani Burton said she bought it for her son to help him quit smoking. Adams was using the new device when it exploded in his mouth. The force knocked out several teeth and blew up his jaw.

Burton told NBC News that her son was in shock and unable to speak after the incident. She drove her son five hours to the nearest hospital in Utah. Dr. Katie Russell, one of the trauma surgeons who treated Adams, said he had a blast injury to his lower jaw and burn injuries around his lip. She said a CT scan showed extensive damage to the teen's jaw. Russell said people who buy these devices need to know "there's a possibility they're going to blow up in your pocket, in your face."

Injuries and Fatalities

E-cigarette explosions have become way too common in the news. Studies show injuries from e-cigarette explosions are on the rise. One study published in 2018 estimated that more than 2,000 e-cigarette explosion and burn injuries sent users to U.S. hospital emergency rooms from 2015 to 2017. In February, a Texas man died after his device exploded and shrapnel tore through his carotid artery. A part of the device remained lodged in the man's throat at the hospital, his family said.

A year ago, a Florida man suffered fatal injuries as well after his e-cigarette exploded during use. The impact sent a projectile into his head. While both the fatal cases involved, numerous teens have reported suffering injuries from similar explosions. The injuries have risen exponentially at a time when health officials report an "epidemic" of teen vaping. Nearly 40 percent of 12th graders use the devices, according to a report released last year. An e-cigarette explosion put out a teen's eye in Oregon two years ago. In one case from 2017, a 14-year-old girl was burned when an e-cigarette exploded in a nearby college student's pocket when she was on a Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios in Florida.

If You Have Been Injured

The product defect attorneys at Bisnar Chase are currently handling e-cigarette explosion cases that have left our clients with severe injuries. A number of these incidents occur because of the use of substandard parts and defective batteries. If you have been injured by an exploding vaping device, you may be able to receive compensation for the injuries, damages and losses suffered including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of surgeries, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Brian Chase at Bisnar Chase can offer you more information about pursuing your legal rights.

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