Products Liability & Wrongful Death Claims Continue to Expand Against E-Cigarette Maker Juul
In late November, troubles continued for e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. – already the subject of numerous product liability and wrongful death claims – when a Florida judge ordered the co-founder of the company to answer questions under oath in a case brought against cigarette-maker Philip Morris USA, which is being sued by the estate of a woman who died of a number of smoking-related illnesses. The testimony is related to whether the company that owns Philip Morris USA – Altria Group Inc. – purchased a stake in Juul in an effort to target youth to compensate for declining interest in cigarette consumption.
Juul has been the subject of a significant amount of controversy as more and more is discovered about the link between vaping and lung disease and concerns emerge over the company’s purposeful targeting of teens in selling its products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been close to 2,300 cases of acute lung injuries and 50 deaths. Officials suspect that the main culprits are THC products made with vitamin E acetate.
Purposely Targeting & Fostering Teen Addiction
The company is also being sued by individuals, families and several states in connection with some of these alleged injuries and deaths, as well as allegations that it purposely enticed teens by creating vaping products with fruity flavors. The first wrongful death case was filed in connection with an 18-year old who died here in Florida, and whose family now claims that he used the products for three years after being led to believe that they were safer than cigarettes. His family and others now claim that Juul intentionally targeted youth with improper lies and marketing, creating an epidemic of young consumers with dangerous levels of nicotine addiction.
Juul now not only faces some 60 lawsuits related to alleged injuries such as pulmonary disease and seizures, but also consumer fraud. Juul is also reportedly facing investigations by the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and a number of state attorneys’ general. After its CEO stepped down in September, a new CEO from Philip Morris USA and parent corporation Altria Group Inc. was put in place. Most recently, New York filed its own lawsuit, accusing the company of “[taking] a page from Big Tobacco’s playbook.”
If You Have Product Liability & Wrongful Death Concerns, Contact Our Civil Litigation Attorneys
Our Orlando civil litigation attorneys are the very best in ensuring that justice is done. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a products liability or wrongful death, contact our experienced Orlando attorneys at the Baez Law Firm today to find out more about our services.
Resource:
cnbc.com/2019/11/19/new-york-sues-e-cigarette-giant-juul.html
law.com/therecorder/2019/10/15/juul-hit-with-first-wrongful-death-lawsuit/
insurancejournal.com/news/national/2019/11/26/549488.htm
