Can I Sue Juul for Getting Me Addicted?

Can I Sue Juul for Getting Me Addicted?

• October 25
• Evans/Reilley
• Product Liability

Vaping quickly became one of the nation’s largest health concerns in 2019 when nearly 1,500 people suffered serious health complications and dozens died from what is now being called vaping-related lung injury. People now have many questions, one of which is, “Can I sue Juul for getting me addicted?”

As the vaping industry and safety officials get to the bottom of the causes of the 2019 outbreak, people are now understanding that this supposedly “safe” alternative to smoking isn’t so safe after all. Let’s talk about what we know and what you can expect if you want to file a lawsuit against Juul.

Can I File a Lawsuit Against Juul for a Nicotine Addiction?

Under our legal system, you can file a lawsuit against pretty much any person or business – Juul included. However, suing Juul for a nicotine addiction isn’t likely to get much traction in court, nor is it likely to result in much compensation.

Can I Sue Juul for Vaping-Related Lung Injury?

If you have suffered serious injury because of your Juul use, then you have a much stronger case and a much greater need to file a claim to get compensation. Vaping-related lung injuries have proven fatal for at least 33 e-cigarette users. Vaping-related lung injuries are incredibly damaging to a person’s lungs, and the costs of treating and living with vaping-related lung illness can create a devastating financial burden on someone’s life.

We are still learning more about the underlying causes of this disease. Juul is in the spotlight for several reasons. First, they initially marketed their products to young people. Second, the company touted their products as a safe alternative to smoking. Third, they have pulled their flavored products from the market after first pulling them from conventional convenience stores in an effort to ease pressure from regulators. Fourth, Juul is the leading seller of vaping products and, thus, its brand is synonymous with vaping for many users.

What We Know About Vaping-Related Lung Injury

Nearly 1,500 cases of vaping-related lung injury have been reported in the U.S. The authorities still aren’t sure of the exact cause of these injuries. Because e-juice (the substance people vape in an e-cigarette) can have several ingredients, detecting the root cause of the recent lung injury outbreak is a difficult task. One of the reasons that flavored products have been the subject of so much debate is the fact that they tend to contain more ingredients than non-flavored products, and those ingredients vary, depending on the flavor of the e-juice.

People reporting vaping-related lung injury have experienced a variety of symptoms, including a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. These symptoms often come on quickly and require hospitalization. Many of the people who have reported these injuries are young, otherwise healthy people. Some have told reporters that their lungs are now permanently damaged because of their condition.

Vaping Has Quickly Become A Concerning Trend Among Young People

At a time when other substances are being used less by high school students, the rate of young people who vape has increased dramatically over recent years. More than one-fourth of high schoolers have reported vaping in the last 30 days. It’s the fastest growing use among young people for any single substance ever recorded.

This is a major concern for several reasons. Many young people who are vaping have never smoked traditional cigarettes, which signals that e-cigarettes are creating new generations of people with nicotine addictions. E-cigarettes like Juul can deliver a much higher dose of nicotine quicker than traditional cigarettes, which means that a vaper’s addiction might be much more severe.

High levels of nicotine ingestion can have immediate health consequences, and it could affect young people’s developing brains in damaging ways. For example, some research suggests that a nicotine addiction at a young age could make other substance-use disorders more likely later in life. Because vaping is still a relatively new habit, it’s unclear what the long-term consequences might be.

Can I Sue Juul?

Can you sue Juul for being addicted? Technically, yes, you can file a lawsuit, but you probably won’t find much success. However, you can sue Juul for injuries that their products have caused you. These types of lawsuits are called product liability claims, and they are an important tool to hold negligent manufacturers accountable for the harm they have caused consumers.

How Do You Sue Juul?

If you have suffered a vaping-related lung injury and are considering legal action against Juul, then you can help your potential case by keeping a few things in mind.

• Take care of your health above all else. Seek treatment and follow all your doctor’s orders.
• Keep track of any bills or other documents you receive that are related to your injury.
• Consider speaking to an attorney as soon as possible to get the process started.
• Avoid any correspondence with a representative of Juul or Juul’s insurance company.

Once you contact an attorney, they will be able to advise you on your next steps. Your Juul attorney will handle all correspondence with attorneys or insurance companies. They will work with you to determine how much you should demand in a claim and avoid any mistakes that might hurt your chances of having a successful lawsuit.

Are You Considering Quitting Vaping?

The best way to avoid the consequences of a nicotine addiction is to stop entirely. This is difficult for anyone with a serious nicotine addiction, but it is possible. You might consider alternatives like gum, patches or lozenges. If possible, try to stop using nicotine by going cold turkey, which means quitting without any chemical assistance. Rely on your loved ones for support and keep yourself distracted during the first few days of cessation.

If You Need Legal Assistance with a Juul Lawsuit, Contact the Evans/Reilley Law Firm

If you or a loved one has suffered a vaping-related lung injury, contact the Evans/Reilley Law Firm to learn more about your legal options. We offer free consultations, so feel to call us anytime at (512) 732-2727 or simply fill out our contact form to get started.