Investigators examine cause of vape pen explosion that killed a Florida man

Investigators are looking at the cause of a vape pen explosion that killed a St. Petersburg, Florida man on May 5, 2018.  Firefighters found the body of Tallmadge D’Elia when they responded to a fire at his home. The autopsy report states that the exploding vape pen caused his death.

Fragments of the pen shot through his skill, killing him. In an autopsy report, the medical examiner stated that he had burns on more than 80% of his body. While the death has been ruled accidental, officials are trying to zero in on the cause.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue spokesman Lieutenant Steve Lawrence told Reuters, “The likelihood of the battery being the actual cause of the fire is more probable than not. We feel that the battery had the potential energy to basically turn the vape mod into a missile, and it penetrated the victim’s cranial cavity. “ A vape mod is a more complex version of an e-cigarette.

Vape Pen Lithium Ion Batteries Can Explode

A report from FEMA, titled “Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions in the United States 2009 – 2016,” states that there have been 195 incidents of explosions and fires involving an electronic cigarette during that time frame. Those explosions caused 133 acute injuries, but no deaths were reported until this incident.

And 66% of those explosions caused a fire of “nearby contents such as clothing, carpets, drapes, bedding, couches, or vehicle seats.” In 10 of those incidents, the fire spread was major and required intervention by the local fire department.

Lithium ion batteries can explode if they overheat. These tiny batteries consist of alternating layers of cathode and anode material that is separated by a porous film.

The FEMA report states that “The e-cigarette/lithium-ion battery combination presents a new and unique hazard to consumers. No other consumer product places a battery with a known explosion hazard such as this in such close proximity to the body.” In the conclusion of the report, FEMA states, “Lithium-ion batteries should not be used in e-cigarettes. As long as lithium-ion batteries continue to be used in e-cigarettes, severe injuries will continue to occur.”

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman have successfully  represented many clients who have been injured by consumer products, and families in wrongful death lawsuits. They work to protect their clients’ legal rights, and investigate every incident completely. You can contact them by calling 1-888-377-8900 for a free, no obligation, and confidential consultation.

Sources

Szekely, Peter. “Florida officials probe cause of fatal vape device explosion.” Reuters, May 17, 2018.

Lawrence A. McKenna Jr. Research Group. “Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions in the United States 2009 – 2016” National Fire Data Center. U.S. Fire Administration, July 2017.