Holding Manufacturers Accountable for Vape-Related Burn Injuries in California

Explosions or fires involving vape pens and e-cigarettes can cause catastrophic injuries, especially to the face, mouth, hands, and upper body. At Hillstone Law, our attorneys specialize in product liability claims involving vape injuries. We serve victims across California, operating on a contingency-fee basis, no upfront costs, and no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Vape and E-Cigarette Explosions Happen

Most vape fires and explosions trace back to lithium-ion battery failures, especially when batteries or chargers are mismatched, counterfeit, or damaged. Factors include:

• Overheating while charging, often with improper or third-party chargers
• Internal cell failure or damage within the battery
• Incompatible components, including aftermarket batteries or vape mods
• Heat buildup in high-power devices, sometimes exceeding safe operating limits

Even legal devices can pose risk, if misused, modified improperly, or exposed to moisture and metal objects (e.g. in pockets).

Typical Injuries and Consequences

E-cigarette explosions can result in severe and life-altering harm:

• Burn injuries, often second‑ or third‑degree, affecting hands, face, mouth, neck, or torso
• Facial trauma, including broken teeth, lip deformities, eye damage, and scarring
• Bone fractures, including neck or maxillofacial bones
• Chemical burns, lacerations, nerve damage
• Psychological harm, such as PTSD, anxiety, or disfigurement-related depression

One known case in California resulted in a $1 million settlement for facial deformities, burns, lost teeth, and trauma caused when a vape battery exploded while inhaling.

Compensation You Can Pursue in California

Vape victims may recover compensation for:

Economic Losses

• Emergency treatment: hospital stays, surgeries, burn care
• Dental reconstruction, prosthetics, assistive devices
• Physical therapy, reconstructive surgery, follow-up visits
• Lost wages or diminished future earning capacity

Non-Economic Losses

• Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life or social impacts from injury

In cases involving negligent design, manufacturing defects, misleading safety claims, or failure to warn, victims may also pursue punitive damages under California law.

Who May Be Held Liable

Hillstone Law thoroughly investigates all potentially liable parties, including:

• Product manufacturers of vape devices or lithium-ion batteries
• Battery or charger producers, especially if design flaws or overload potential exist
• Retailers or distributors who sold dangerous, counterfeit, or incompatible devices
• Advertisers or marketers who misrepresented safety or charging properties

We collect purchase records, product specifications, battery and charger details, user manuals, and lab reports to build the strongest product liability case.

Why Work with Hillstone Law?

If you’ve suffered a vape explosion injury, here’s how we help:

• We partner with medical experts, burn specialists, reconstructive surgeons, dental/prosthetic experts
• We collaborate with product safety engineers and battery specialists to trace design or manufacturing faults
• We pursue full settlements, or litigate aggressively in court when needed
• We offer no fees unless you recover, plus help coordinating medical care and bills
• We represent clients across California, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and beyond

Timing Matters, California Filing Deadlines

California generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit. Exceptions include:

• Discovery rule: If injuries or disfigurement appear later, the filing period may begin upon discovery
• Minors: The statute may be tolled until a minor turns 18

Acting quickly helps preserve the device, battery, evidence, photos, medical records, and witnesses before they disappear.

What to Do After a Vape Explosion

1. Seek immediate medical care, especially for burns or facial trauma
2. Preserve the device, battery, charger, packaging, and receipts
3. Take photos of injuries, clothing, and device damage
4. Avoid disposal or repair of the device, even if requested by the manufacturer or insurer
5. Contact Hillstone Law promptly, we’ll guide you through evidence preservation and legal steps

Summary at a Glance

Issue	Key Points
Common Causes	Lithium-ion battery failure, overheating, incompatible parts, aftermarket mods
Typical Injuries	Burns, facial trauma, fractures, scarring, psychological harm
Potential Legal Claims	Product liability, defective design, failure to warn, punitive damages
Compensation Available	Medical bills, dental reconstruction, lost wages, pain & suffering
Why Choose Hillstone Law	Expert medical & engineering collaboration, contingency approach, state coverage
Filing Deadline (CA)	2 years from injury (with exceptions for minors or delayed discovery)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I owe anything upfront?
No. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Do most vape explosion cases settle?
Many do, but we prepare every case for trial to ensure maximum value.

Can I file if injuries appeared later?
Yes. California’s discovery rule may extend filing deadlines if injuries surface over time.

How can I know if I have a case?
If a vape device, battery, or charger malfunctioned and caused injury, you may qualify for compensation. A free consultation can clarify your legal options.

Contact Hillstone Law Now

If you’ve suffered a burn injury, facial trauma, dental damage, or disfigurement from a vape or e-cigarette explosion, don’t wait. Contact Hillstone Law today for a free, no‑obligation consultation. We’ll help you preserve what matters, identify who’s responsible, and fight for compensation that reflects both your medical and personal losses.