Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Altman & Altman LLP is actively reviewing claims regarding cases of nicotine addiction that have occurred due to the widespread use of Juul brand vaporizers. Specifically, we are pursuing claims from individuals who used a Juul vaporizer before they were 18 years of age, and used it prior to November 2018.
Juul vaporizers (also known as vapes and e-cigarettes) have long been marketed as a “safer” alternative to traditional cigarettes. They have utilized the advertising slogan “Make the Switch,” meaning they intend to be a replacement for nicotine-addicted individuals who are either trying to quit nicotine entirely or are looking for a supposedly less harmful way to consume nicotine. With a streamlined, sleek appearance about the size of a standard USB flash drive, and a simple two-piece design with replaceable nicotine-laden oil cartridges, Juuls have become incredibly popular.
Juul may be specifically targeted for children to use
Studies have revealed that Juuls are not only popular with adults. Children under the age of 18 regularly use Juuls in alarming numbers – as data shows that about 3.6 million kids under the age of 18 tried an e-cigarette device at least once in 2018, a 78 percent increase over the prior year.
Combine this knowledge with the fact that Juul pods contain a higher concentration of nicotine than other e-cigarettes, and that children are more susceptible to developing addictions, and what you’re left with is a ripe recipe for children to become nicotine dependent very quickly.
Not only has Juul been criticized for potentially exposing children to a harmful product without doing much to prevent them from accessing it – the company has also come under scrutiny for their development of flavored pods that would also appeal to children; such as mint and berry flavors.
Juul and “popcorn lung”
Juul vaporizers and other electronic cigarette products like them contain a chemical called diacetyl, an additive that supposedly makes the heated vapor less harsh and smoother when inhaled. Diacetyl is also a component added to movie theater popcorn butter to give it that well-known buttery flavor. The chemical is approved by the FDA for consumption as a food product.
However, overexposure to vaporized diacetyl may cause “popcorn lung,” which causes a constriction of the airways within the lungs to the point of total closure – which may lead to further respiratory complications including total lung collapse, a potentially fatal health complication.
Nicotine can cause severe harm to children
Outside of nicotine dependence, consistent use of a Juul can cause serious developmental issues in children as their brains are not fully developed. Excessive nicotine intake may have a negative result on the normal release of hormones and be a detriment to the development of healthy neurological pathways within the growing brain. With as much nicotine in one Juul pod as an entire pack of cigarettes, but with such a smooth vaping experience, children may be totally unaware of how much nicotine they are truly taking in when they use Juul products.
As a result of excessive use of a Juul, children and their families may be saddled with serious medical expenses, including treatment for respiratory issues, mental health counseling and smoking cessation programming. Altman & Altman LLP has over 50 years of experience fighting for financial compensation on behalf of its clients.
If you believe that you or a loved one has become addicted to nicotine through their use of Juul vaporizers, and they were under 18 at the time of their use of the products, contact an attorney from Altman & Altman LLP right away, as we may be able to file a claim against Juul and possibly seek compensation for medical expenses that have occurred as a result of the addiction.
Contact us online or call for a free consultation to go over your claim today at 617-492-3000, or toll-free at 800-481-6199. We are available 24/7.
