Vaping is all over the news right now as government officials and medical experts scramble to determine why there’s been a sudden outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and deaths all over the country. In the meantime, however, some consumers are taking action against the leading manufacturer of vaping products, Juul, through lawsuits.
Dozens of lawsuits, including at least one here in Florida, have sprung up almost overnight. Many allege that Juul specifically aimed its advertising — and its products — at teenagers and young adults through social media campaigns and sweet flavors. Many young users bought into the idea that vaping nicotine products is “safe,” unlike smoking.
Now, teens, parents and state attorney generals alike are saying that young users are getting addicted to nicotine products — a possibility that they hadn’t considered. They say that they were largely unaware that Juul cartridges contain more nicotine than a pack of cigarettes. Many believe that Juul was designed to introduce a whole new generation to smoking — capturing the interest (and dollars) of young people who would never have considered smoking cigarettes.
While there are some illness-related claims, many of the lawsuits are focused on product liability. They generally allege that Juul marketed a product that was inherently unsafe and did so without providing adequate warning about those safety issues. Product liability laws require manufacturers to provide consumers with warnings about “hidden dangers” in a product and explain how to use the product safely.
If you or your loved one has been injured by a product that was supposed to be safe, it may be time to discuss your options with an attorney.