In 2006, e-cigarettes were officially introduced to the U.S market as a healthy alternative to traditional combustible cigarettes. For over a decade, the industry was on the rise and faced no product liability litigation other than a few cases that involved exploding vape devices.
However, things started to change in 2018 when a lot of people began to file JUUL class action lawsuits against the leading e-cigarette manufacturer, JUUL Labs. The lawsuits were filed in both state and federal courts across the country.
The cases have become so numerous that they have been classified into a class action lawsuit. In some states, such as California, the cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation.
The plaintiffs in these cases accuse vape manufacturers and distributors of fueling nicotine addiction, especially among the youths.
They also claim that JUUL Labs intentionally:
- Used deceptive marketing practices.
- Targeted youths with their marketing practices.
- Marketed their products as a safer alternative to smoking.
- Failed to warn users of potential nicotine addiction.
- Defectively designed their products by failing to limit the amount of nicotine delivered to the user which resulted in addiction and permanent neurological damage.
This post discusses everything you need to know about JUUL class action lawsuits and whether you qualify to file a claim. So, let us get started.
What Is JUUL?
In recent years, e-cigarettes (vaping) have become a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes. Vaping has also been marketed as a great alternative to cigarettes because it is supposedly safer, with many people claiming that it has helped them quit smoking altogether.
Over the years, JUUL has grown to become one of the most popular vaping products in the U.S. Besides its relatively low cost, JUUL is easier to use than other vaping products and offers a wide range of nicotine cartridges such as mango, menthol, and mint.
JUUL vaping devices are smaller and more compact, making it easy to carry them around. Their nicotine cartridges are also easy to install and use.
JUUL Labs was founded in 2015 and rose to become the most popular e-cigarette brand in the United States in 2017. Today, JUUL Lab’s vaping products account for approximately 72% of the entire vaping market in the country.
About JUUL Class Action Lawsuits
Although JUUL vaping products are usually marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, scientific evidence reveals otherwise.
A scientific study shows that JUUL users are more prone to a wide range of diseases and ailments such as popcorn lung, lipoid pneumonia, and nicotine poisoning. These medical conditions can lead to severe internal body injuries or even death.
A significant rise in vaping among teenagers and youths, mostly in high school, has also led to a rise in nicotine addiction cases, with corresponding health effects.
Attorneys are already filing JUUL class action lawsuits against JUUL Labs for failure to warn its users about the dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects of its products.
If you or your loved one has suffered health complications after using JUUL vaping products, including nicotine addiction, comas, seizures, popcorn lung, and lipoid pneumonia, make sure you speak to an experienced class action attorney for a case review.
Is JUUL Bad For You?
The simple answer is yes. Research has proven that JUUL nicotine pod’s salt formulation delivers a relatively strong dose of nicotine. Plaintiffs in various JUUL class action lawsuits allege that the vaping product delivers doses of nicotine higher than those allowed in regular cigarettes.
It means that the efficiency with which the product delivers nicotine into the bloodstream tends to increase its addictiveness making it more addictive than traditional cigarettes.
Nicotine is a carcinogen that is associated with immunosuppressive, reproductive, and cardiovascular problems. The substance can adversely affect the lungs, kidneys, heart, eyes, and entire reproductive system.
Increased exposure to nicotine also leads to an increased risk of coronary vascular disease and peripheral arterial disorders. Since vaping introduces foreign materials into your lungs, prolonged use of JUUL products can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, much like conventional cigarette smoke.
Vaping also triggers a wide range of immune responses associated with inflammatory lung disease.
Did JUUL Fail to Warn the Public About the Negative Effects of Its Products?
As mentioned above, nicotine is a known dangerous substance, and all tobacco manufacturers are required to inform users about the consequences of using tobacco products.
However, e-cigarette manufacturers, including JUUL Labs, have always marketed their products as being less risky and safer than traditional cigarettes and other traditional means of consuming tobacco.
Although JUUL Lab’s official website and product packaging feature the standard warnings about the risks of using nicotine, there is no warning on the possible side effects such as popcorn lungs, lipoid pneumonia, and nicotine poisoning.
While the company has always amplified its products’ ability to help users quit smoking, it avoids discussing the possibility of users suffering severe injuries and even death after JUUL usage.
A study conducted in 2018 revealed that vaping increased by 78% among high school students and 48% among college students. Researchers attributed the increase to aggressive marketing of vaping products targeting the youth population.
Manufacturers such as JUUL Labs also increased the production of vaping products that appealed to the youth, such as e-cigarettes shaped like USB drives. Such products can be concealed easily and used discreetly.
Although the manufacturer has denied claims that their marketing efforts were geared towards the youth population, FDA warning, independent research, and complaints outlined in JUUL class action lawsuits tell a quite different story.
Has FDA Taken Any Action Against JUUL Lab?
In 2018, the U.S Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to JUUL Labs and other e-cigarette manufacturers asking them to address the issue of widespread youth use of their vaping products.
The same year, the FDA conducted an impromptu inspection of JUUL Labs’ headquarters in San Francisco, seizing numerous pages of critical documents on the company’s marketing approach and practices.
In 2019, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the company in the District Court in Northern California. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Mr. David Wakefield, claims that his son died while sleeping after using JUUL vaping products for close to two years.
Do You Qualify for JUUL Lawsuit Evaluation?
Anyone who has used JUUL vaping products and is diagnosed by a qualified doctor as having nicotine poisoning, popcorn lung, lipoid pneumonia, or addiction may qualify for compensation to recover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Legal Giant has gathered a team of credible and reliable attorneys with experience in holding big companies, such as JUUL Labs, accountable for marketing defective or dangerous products.
To discuss a JUUL lawsuit with a lawyer, contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.
