Florida Man in Critical Condition after E-Cigarette Explodes

An exploding e-cigarette leaves a Florida man in critical condition at a Miami hospital, WINK reports. Evan Spahlinger, 21, is in a medically induced coma after the e-cigarette he was using exploded and left him badly burnt. Spahlinger, who was found covered in soot, was rushed to NCH Downtown Naples Hospital. He was then flown to Miami hospital.

“I was laying in bed with my 2-year-old and I heard an explosion, then I started smelling burning, smoke and fire,” said Ema Richardson, according to WINK. “I found my brother not breathing, with his whole face burned and his neck burned and trying to throw up a little or maybe he was gasping for air, so I called 911,”

“They said he has internal and external burns and damage to his lungs from the explosion itself. And possibly the mouth piece went, when the cigarette exploded, it went down his throat and exploded again.” said Richardson. The explosion was likely due to the lithium battery, said North Collier Fire & Rescue, who is investigating the situation. Spahlinger’s family is now cautioning others about e-cigarettes. Richardson says her brother will never use the device again. “He said, ‘I’m done, that’s it.’ That’s the only thing he said. Luckily I was here, it was the most traumatic experience I think of my life.” She also said “We want people to know the risk and dangers. Had Evan of known, maybe he wouldn’t have chosen to smoke the electronic cigarette.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed regulating e-cigarettes last April. The new rules would ban sales to Americans under the age of 18 and require manufacturers to list the ingredients in their products.

E-cigarettes have exploded in other instances in the past. Recently, a California jury awarded $2 million to woman who suffered serious burns after her e-cigarette exploded. Last April in England, an 18-year-old bartender’s dress caught on fire when her coworker’s e-cigarette exploded nearby.

from Parker Waichman http://www.yourlawyer.com/blog/florida-man-in-critical-condition-after-e-cigarette-explodes/