Case Study

Electronic Cigarettes Backfire

Electronic Cigarettes have become a popular tool to help people quit smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, many consumers have experienced life$-$threatening incidents in relation to these devices. Jennifer Ries and her husband were driving to the airport for an international flight and decided toe$-$cigarette battery in the car charger. Liquid from the battery started to leak, and the car filled with the smell of nail polish remover. There was a loud bang in their car and the battery exploded. Flames shot out and caught the seat on fire, chemicals spilled on Jennifer$$s lap and she suffered severe burns. In a panic, Jennifer attempted to jump out of the moving car while her husband poured ice coffee on her to kill the flames. Jennifer suffered second$-$degree burns on parts of her body and emotional distress from the accident. The County Superior Court jury awarded her nearly $$1\mathrm{.}9$ million in a lawsuit against the company, VapCig. Her lawsuit alleged that the businesses in the supply chain $$failed to conform to any kind of reasonable safety expectation$-$battery chargers should not explode$-$and failed to warn about known dangers.$$

Answers the following questions related to the Case Study?

What are your personal opinions of the ruling?

Have you or anyone you know had issues with these types of products? Explain your answer more than just yes or no$.$

Do you feel as if other companies are similar to VapCigs and frivolously produce products with little regard for safety precautions?

As a consumer, do you feel safe buying a majority of products, or do you feel we live in a society where the buyer should beware?