How to Sue for Burn Injuries Caused by E-Cigarettes or Vape Explosions

How to Sue for Burn Injuries Caused by E-Cigarettes or Vape Explosions

Vaping was marketed as a safer alternative to smoking—but for thousands of people, it has led to serious injuries, especially from e-cigarette battery explosions. Vape devices and their lithium-ion batteries have caused burns, facial disfigurement, broken bones, and even amputations.

If you or someone you love was injured by a vape or e-cigarette explosion, you may be entitled to compensation through a product liability lawsuit. This guide will walk you through how to sue for a vape explosion burn injury in 2025.

What Causes Vape Devices to Explode?

Most vape explosions are linked to battery failure, particularly in lithium-ion cells. These batteries can overheat or combust when:

  • The device is poorly manufactured
  • The battery is counterfeit or incompatible
  • There is no thermal protection circuitry
  • The battery is overcharged or damaged
  • The user stores batteries loose in pockets or bags
  • The mod (custom vape unit) is tampered with

Often, the fault lies not with the user but with cheap, defective parts or poor product design by the manufacturer or seller.

Common Vape-Related Burn Injuries

Vape explosions often occur in a user’s pockethand, or face, causing injuries such as:

  • Second- and third-degree burns
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Tooth loss or jaw fractures
  • Eye damage
  • Hand or finger amputation
  • Scarring or skin grafts
  • Emotional trauma and PTSD

Victims frequently require emergency surgeryhospitalization, and long-term recovery.

Can You Sue for a Vape Explosion?

Yes. If you were injured due to an e-cigarette or vape explosion, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuitagainst one or more parties, including:

  • The vape manufacturer
  • The battery supplier
  • The retail store or distributor
  • The product importer (especially if it’s a foreign device)
  • Online retailers who failed to warn about risks

These claims do not require proving negligence. You only need to show that the product was defectiveunreasonably dangerous, or lacked proper warnings.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

In a successful vape explosion burn injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover damages for:

  • Medical bills (ER, surgeries, therapy, medications)
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost income and diminished earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress or PTSD
  • Disfigurement or permanent disability
  • Property damage (phone, clothing, etc.)
  • Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)

Some settlements in past vape injury lawsuits have exceeded $1 million, especially for victims with permanent disfigurement.

What Evidence Do You Need to File a Lawsuit?

To file a strong vape burn injury case, gather:

  • Photos of your injuries immediately after the explosion
  • Medical records from emergency care or burn units
  • The vape device and battery (if intact)
  • Proof of purchase (receipts, order confirmations)
  • Eyewitness accounts or video evidence if available
  • Police or fire department reports
  • Statements from your doctor linking the injury to the vape explosion

The more documentation you have, the stronger your case.

How to File a Vape Injury Lawsuit in 2025

Follow these steps to take legal action:

  1. Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
    Your health comes first. Emergency care not only saves your life—it also documents the injury for legal claims.
  2. Preserve the Evidence
    Do not throw away the device, battery, packaging, or damaged clothing. Take photos and store them safely.
  3. Contact a Product Liability Attorney
    Choose a lawyer with experience in vape explosion cases. Most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.
  4. Let the Lawyer Investigate
    Your legal team will identify the product source, consult engineers or battery experts, and file your claim in the appropriate court.
  5. File Within the Statute of Limitations
    Most states allow 2 to 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Delays may result in losing your right to sue.

Can You Still Sue if You Bought the Vape Online?

Yes. Even if you bought the vape from an online store, the seller or distributor can still be held liable. U.S. courts have ruled that online retailers share responsibility if they failed to warn users or sold dangerous, unverified products.

Also, many vape devices are manufactured overseas, but importers or brand owners within the U.S. may be held accountable for defective foreign-made products.

What If You Modified Your Device?

Modifying a vape can complicate your case, but it doesn’t always eliminate your right to sue. Your lawyer will assess:

  • Whether the explosion was caused by your modifications or a product defect
  • If the manufacturer should have warned about risks from modifications
  • If your use was typical or expected based on marketing

Even partial user responsibility may still allow you to recover damages under comparative fault laws, depending on your state.

Past Vape Explosion Lawsuits: Real Examples

  • A man in Nevada was awarded nearly $2 million after a vape exploded in his pocket, causing severe burns to his leg and groin.
  • A California teen sued a battery manufacturer after a vape exploded in his mouth, shattering his jaw.
  • Multiple class actions have been filed against Juul Labs and other major e-cigarette brands for marketing to youth and failing to warn of risks.

These cases show the growing legal momentum in holding manufacturers accountable.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve suffered burn injuries from a vape or e-cigarette explosion, you are not alone—and you may be legally entitled to significant compensation. These incidents are preventable, and manufacturers must be held accountable when their products fail.

Speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Preserve your evidence, seek medical care, and let professionals guide you through your next steps. Burn injuries change lives, but legal action can help you recover the financial and emotional support you need.

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