The dangers of E-cigarettes and their use by consumers has again been highlighted in a recent US Personal Injury case.
Mr. J. Michael Hoce was using his E-cigarette vaporizer which was equipped with a battery when the battery exploded causing him to suffer facial burns and knocking out several of his teeth. He was left with disfigurement around his mouth and will require extensive dental reconstruction.
Mr. Hoce sued the manufacturer alleging that the battery had a manufacturing defect and lacked safety protections preventing explosion in the event of a malfunction. He also argued that there should have been a warning that the battery could explode. He was awarded $2 million in compensation by a Jury in the United States.
Smokers Son Awarded Punitive Damages Against Tobacco Company
Philip Marotta who began smoking at 12 years of age and became addicted to cigarettes died at age 47 from lung cancer. He was survived by his three children one of whom on behalf of his Estate sued R.J. Reynolds alleging that its cigarettes caused Marotta’s nicotine addiction, cancer and death. A Jury awarded the Estate $6 million but found that Marotta himself was 42% at fault.
- J. Reynolds Appealed the Judgement which was upheld in part by the Florida Supreme Court. The Court held that the Estate of a cigarette smoker could seek punitive damages against the tobacco company.
Speaking about this US Judgement and its potential impact for similar claims in Ireland Liam Moloney Personal Injury Solicitor said today “the US Courts continue to award significant compensation to people who became addicted to cigarettes. State governments have also sued tobacco companies to recover healthcare costs spent by their States in treating cigarette smokers who developed lung cancer, COPD and emphysema among other conditions associated with smoking.”
