Exploding Vapes, Toxic Chemicals, and Lung Damage: The Truth About E-Cigarettes

Picture this: you’re told e-cigarettes are the “safe” alternative to smoking. They’re sleek, trendy, flavored like candy, and advertised as the healthier choice. Millions of Americans bought into that promise. But behind the marketing? A dangerous reality.

E-cigarettes and vaping products have been linked to exploding batteries, toxic chemical exposure, lung injuries, and even wrongful deaths. Once touted as the future of smoking, they’ve now become the subject of high-profile lawsuits, government crackdowns, and mounting medical studies that reveal just how risky they really are.

So what exactly makes these products so dangerous? Who can be held accountable when things go wrong? And what compensation might victims be entitled to if they’ve suffered injuries?

In this article, we’re breaking it all down—from exploding vape pens to toxic vape liquids—so you know the risks, the legal rights, and the steps victims are taking to fight back.

The Rise of Vaping—and Its Hidden Dangers

Vaping took off in the U.S. in the mid-2000s, exploding into a $22 billion global industry by the 2020s. Sleek designs, candy-flavored liquids, and aggressive marketing to younger audiences fueled its growth. According to the CDC, more than 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2022—despite strict regulations on sales to minors.

But the promise of “safer smoking” has unraveled. Reports of serious lung injuries (EVALI), nicotine addiction in teens, and exploding devices have turned e-cigarettes into a legal minefield.

Exploding Batteries and Fire Hazards

One of the most shocking dangers of vaping is the risk of battery explosions. Most e-cigarettes run on lithium-ion batteries—powerful but volatile components prone to overheating. When poorly designed or cheaply manufactured, they can literally explode in a user’s face or pocket.

Common explosion scenarios include:

• Devices blowing up while charging.
• Batteries overheating in a user’s pocket or bag.
• Devices exploding in the mouth during use.

The injuries can be devastating: burns, facial trauma, broken teeth, permanent scarring, and even blindness. Between 2009 and 2016, the U.S. Fire Administration documented nearly 200 vaping-related explosions, with many more likely unreported.

Health Risks Beyond Explosions

The dangers don’t stop at batteries. The liquids inside e-cigarettes have also raised red flags. What was once billed as harmless vapor often contains a cocktail of harmful substances. Known risks include:

EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury): In 2019, an outbreak of EVALI hospitalized over 2,800 people and caused 68 confirmed deaths. Most cases were linked to vitamin E acetate in illicit THC products, but the scare highlighted how unregulated the market can be.

Toxic chemicals: Many liquids contain diacetyl (linked to “popcorn lung”), formaldehyde, and heavy metals.

Nicotine addiction: E-cigarettes can deliver higher concentrations of nicotine than traditional cigarettes, leading to dependence, especially among teens.

Respiratory conditions: Users have reported chronic coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma-like symptoms.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

When a vaping product causes harm, liability may extend across the supply chain.

• Manufacturers – responsible for poor design, toxic ingredients, or unsafe materials.
• Distributors and retailers – if they sold defective or recalled products.
• Marketers – especially in cases involving teen-targeted advertising or false claims of safety.
• Battery suppliers – in explosion cases tied to defective lithium-ion cells.

Under Florida’s strict product liability laws, victims don’t need to prove negligence—only that the product was defective, dangerous, or lacked adequate warnings when used as intended.

Notable Vaping Lawsuits

Several major lawsuits illustrate how product liability plays out in vaping cases:

Juul lawsuits: Thousands of claims allege Juul Labs targeted teens with candy flavors and misled consumers about nicotine levels. Many cases are consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Explosion cases: Individual plaintiffs have won or settled claims after devices exploded, causing burns or dental injuries.

EVALI-related suits: Victims and families have filed wrongful death and injury claims against manufacturers of contaminated vape cartridges.

These cases show that both individual lawsuits and large-scale mass torts are viable paths for victims.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

Depending on the case, damages may include:

• Medical expenses (burn treatment, lung care, surgeries).
• Lost wages or diminished earning potential.
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional).
• Permanent scarring or disability.
• Wrongful death damages (funeral expenses, loss of companionship).

In cases involving reckless marketing or intentional misconduct, courts may also award punitive damages to punish the company and deter similar behavior.

The Regulatory Landscape

One reason vaping lawsuits are so prevalent is the regulatory gray area.

• The FDA only gained authority over e-cigarettes in 2016 under the “Deeming Rule.”
• Many products hit the market before approval standards existed.
• Enforcement has been inconsistent, and many products are imported from overseas with little oversight.

In Florida, lawsuits have filled the gap, holding companies accountable where regulations fall short.

Protecting Yourself and Your Case

If you’ve been harmed by a vaping product, here’s how to protect your health and legal rights:

1. Seek medical care immediately – symptoms like chest pain, coughing, or burns need urgent attention.
2. Preserve the product – keep the device, battery, packaging, and receipts.
3. Document injuries and expenses – take photos, save hospital bills, and track time missed from work.
4. Avoid social media posts about the incident—defense attorneys may use them against you.
5. Consult an experienced product liability lawyer quickly—vaping cases often involve multiple defendants and complex evidence.

Final Thoughts

E-cigarettes and vaping products were marketed as the “future of smoking”—but the reality has been far from safe. From exploding devices to lung illnesses and toxic chemicals, these products have left thousands injured and sparked a wave of lawsuits.

For consumers, the key takeaway is clear: you have legal rights. Whether through a product liability claim, a mass tort, or a wrongful death suit, victims can hold companies accountable and recover compensation for their losses.

And for manufacturers? The message is even clearer: safety matters, and misleading consumers carries consequences.

Was Your E-Cigarette Defective—or Dangerous?

At DuFault Law, we help victims of dangerous and defective products fight back. Whether you were burned by an exploding vape battery or suffered lung damage from toxic vape liquids, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Our experienced Florida product liability attorneys know how to take on powerful manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. We’ll investigate your case, hold negligent companies accountable, and fight to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

• Call us at (239) 422-6400
• Email us at contact@dufaultlaw.com
• Or Visit our Contact Page to schedule a consultation