The JUUL Lawsuits are claiming that the manufacturer of JUUL e-cigarette devices has consciously marketed nicotine products to teenagers and young adults for the sole purpose of getting them addicted to the product. 

The law offices of Gary Falkowitz has started to represent individuals who have become addicted to nicotine after using JUUL products. My law firm has experience representing clients who have filed lawsuits against other product manufacturers. The experience in these claims can directly benefit anyone looking to file a claim against the JUUL manufacturer.

JUUL Lawsuits

Electronic cigarettes have quickly become a mainstay in the smoking arena. The devices can look like cigarettes, USB devices, pens, and a variety of other products. Initially marketed as a way to help people quit smoking, the JUUL product line has quietly shifted their focus to attract younger users with the hope of making lifetime patrons of the JUUL products. 

Vaping products are relatively simple devices. They use flavored liquid that contains various amounts of nicotine, as well as glycerin and propylene glycol. The liquid is heated through heating coils, and the liquid is transformed into a vapor and is inhaled by users. The official name for these types of products is called Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). 

JUUL products are the most popular vaping products on the market today. JUUL uses a delivery system that they call pods, which look like an external USB storage device that would go into a computer. The problem with these pods is that they contain extremely high amounts of nicotine. A single JUUL pod contains nicotine levels that would be found in a pack of cigarettes. 

The Real Problem with JUUL Pods

The real problem with JUUL pods is that the concentration of nicotine is significantly higher than traditional cigarettes. Plus, nicotine absorbed from vaping happens at a much higher rate than with cigarettes. This can be a dangerous amount of nicotine for even an experienced smoker. 

The FDA has received reports of younger users becoming addicted to JUUL products. There are even some extreme cases where users are hospitalized as a result of nicotine poisoning and seizures/convulsions. 

Some of the most common symptoms of nicotine poisoning are:

  • Convulsions
  • Seizures
  • Joint Pain
  • Embolisms
  • Higher Blood Pressure Levels
  • Blood Clots
  • Heart Issues
  • Strokes

Government agencies, as well as a variety of lawsuits all, have accused JUUL of purposefully targeting young adults and underage teenagers in their marketing campaigns. They are accused of trying to get a new generation of long term vape users by getting those users addicted to their products at an early age. 

Some of the marketing strategies used by JUUL when the product first arrived on the shelf included ads with teens and young adults using the products, similar to how alcohol advertisements to market to adults. JUUL also utilized social media marketing campaigns, which showcased younger individuals raving about the product’s mint, crème, and fruit flavors. 

JUUL is Packed with Nicotine

In addition to the marketing practices, the lawsuits also claim that JUUL purposely designed their pods to carry higher levels of nicotine, all in slim, easy to carry devices. These devices are straightforward to conceal and don’t produce an odor like cigarette smoke. JUUL is also accused of marketing its products to younger adults and teens as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. 

There is plenty of other e-cigarettes manufactures besides JUUL; however, JUUL has over half of the vaping market. Their monopoly on the vaping market can be traced back to their unethical marketing campaigns designed for a younger audience. 

JUUL has been successful in its endeavors. As of 2018, 3.6% of 12th-grade students reported smoking cigarettes daily. This is a much lower number than the previous decades. The rise in vaping popularity saw an increase in middle and high school students’ usage of vaping products. There were more than 3.6 million students who were regularly using vaping products by the end of 2018. This number has continued to grow. Vaping has quickly gained in popularity, with almost 40% of all high school seniors reporting that they have used e-cigarettes in the past 12 months. 

Injuries and Side Effects

There are a variety of other health risks besides poisoning and nicotine addiction that go along with regular vaping. The Journal of Pediatrics published a report in 2018 about the carcinogens contained within the flavored vaping products. These levels were extremely high in the vape juice that advertised fruit flavoring. 

Some of the chemicals found in vape juice include:

  • Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)
  • Diacetyl 
  • Toluene (found in paint thinner and adhesives)
  • Acrolein (anti-algae treatment for ponds and irrigation canals)

Chemicals like these can lead to a severe lung disease known as Popcorn Lung. Symptoms of this disease include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. When heated, vape products can also produce certain heavy metals that can become embedded into the tissue of the lungs. 

JUUL Lawsuit Compensation

If you or a loved one has become addicted to nicotine as a result of using a JUUL, then you might be entitled to compensation. Some of the damages that can be recovered include:

  • Medical expenses to include addiction treatments
  • Payment for a decreased quality of life as a result of using JUUL
  • Pain and suffering caused by using JUUL products to cover injuries, treatment, and recovery
  • Punitive damages where applicable

Contact Gary Falkowitz today for your free case evaluation.