Studies have shown that vaping can irritate the lungs, cause irreversible lung damage, and potentially lead to lung disease.
While the long-term effects regarding what vaping does to your lungs are not yet entirely known, there is evidence that vaping increases the risk of chronic cough and wheezing. Users may experience pains in their chest or difficulty breathing. Vaping can also exacerbate the symptoms of asthma.
Although vaping and e-cigarettes have been marketed as a smoking cessation product, it is clear that they carry their own health risks.
The Risk of EVALI
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently identified a new health risk from vaping called EVALI, an acronym for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury.
EVALI is a type of inflammation of the lungs that has been linked to over 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths as of February 2020. The CDC reported in a January 2020 study that 15% of patients hospitalized for EVALI were under the age of 18.
EVALI is believed to be caused by additives in vaping liquids that are harmful when vaped. The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as one potential cause of EVALI.
Other Health Risks from Vaping
Vaping puts more than just your lungs at risk. Studies show that it can also have serious implications for your heart health as well.
According to a study released in May 2019 by the Stanford School of Medicine, vape juice, or e-liquid, harms the endothelial cells inside of blood vessels. Researchers who exposed these cells to e-liquid observed increased rates of DNA damage and cellular death. This could indicate a link between certain vaping products and heart disease.
A 2019 study from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) concluded that vaping increases the likelihood of heart attack by 56% and the likelihood of stroke by 30% compared to non-users. The study determined that vaping and e-cigarette use also increased the risk of coronary heart disease, anxiety, and depression.
Recoverable Damages After a Vaping-Related Injury
The damage that e-cigarettes and vaping can do to your lungs and heart may be irreversible. Many people with vaping-related injuries face a lifetime of medical expenses, potentially impacting their quality of life in the long term.
If you were injured due to your use of e-cigarette or vaping products, you may be able to recover compensation in a vaping lawsuit.
While every case is unique, some of the possible damages that plaintiffs may recover in cases like these include:
- Medical costs, including hospital stays, surgical procedures, doctor’s examinations, medication, and rehabilitative therapies
- Lost wages
- Future wages if your condition impacts your earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- And more
If someone did not survive because of the seriousness of their injuries, the family of the deceased may be able to recover:
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Medical costs left to the family to pay
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- And more
Legal Help for E-Cigarette and Vaping Injuries
If you or someone you love were injured due to their use of vaping or e-cigarette products, you may be able to hold a product manufacturer responsible for your losses.
Gacovino & Lake. represents victims in vaping injury lawsuits. We may be able to represent your case on a contingency-fee basis with no upfront costs to you.
When you hire us, a lawyer from our firm may be able to help you by:
- Identifying the party liable for your injuries
- Gathering evidence connecting your injuries to their negligence
- Gathering medical records documenting the extent of your injuries
- Calculating the value of your claim by evaluating your medical bills, receipts, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering
- Negotiating with the responsible party’s insurance company for a settlement offer
- Bringing your case to court if the insurance company is not willing to make you a fair offer
If you are considering legal action for your vaping-related injuries, do not delay. Your state may have a statute of limitations in place that limits the time you have to file a lawsuit to recover compensation.
Call Gacovino & Lake. today at (631) 600-0000 for a free review of your claim. We can discuss what legal time limits pertain to your case and what options you may have for recovering compensation for your losses.
