Juul Lawsuit

When the Juul was first introduced to the American market, it was touted as a “safe alternative” to cigarettes, and a “better way to smoke.” In tandem with these claims of safety advantages, many young adults who had no prior experience with cigarettes or nicotine addiction were led to believe that they could enjoy the effects of the nicotine in these products without any health impacts. These same individuals have now found that they are suffering from health issues and serious nicotine addictions. 

There has been a recent spate of lawsuits against the makers of Juul, Juul Labs, Inc., for false advertising and negligence, both by individuals and states who are alarmed by the health crises that are rooted in the usage of these devices. If you are a current or former Juul user who has experienced adverse health effects as a result of your electronic cigarette usage, contact Balkin Law Group now to be connected with an attorney who can help you understand your legal rights in your situation.

Read more below to learn about some of the problems with this product, and contact us now to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about the options that are available for you.

What Is Juul?

Juul is the most popular choice for electronic cigarettes in the United States, due to its compact shape, wide range of flavors, and highly-effective marketing campaigns. Each “pod” contains between 1.5% and 5% nicotine, which means each pod contains the equivalent to a pack of cigarettes. Users charge their device using a USB slot and a proprietary charging base and can change pods by simply removing and replacing the pod with a new one from the 4-packs that are available at many convenience stores and gas stations across the country.

In December of 2018, Altria, a tobacco company, purchased a 35% stake in Juul Labs, Inc. at a valuation of $38 billion, although the valuation has since fallen as a result of ongoing lawsuits, increased legislation, and a decline in market growth. 

Why Is Juul Being Sued?

There are a variety of plaintiffs who are suing Juul Labs, Inc., and there are a variety of motivations behind the lawsuits. The state of North Carolina was the first state to take legal action against the company, citing its advertising tactics and flavored options as significant factors in the device’s popularity among minors and young adults. Since this initial lawsuit, California and New York have filed their own lawsuits, as well.

There are also a variety of individuals who are seeking damages from the company, for things like past and future medical expenses due to vaping-related illnesses or complications, pain and suffering associated with these illnesses and nicotine addiction, diminished quality of life due to adverse reactions or illnesses from vaping, and possible punitive damages where warranted. 

Many young adults have become addicted to nicotine and suffered serious consequences as a result, owing to Juul’s predatory and misleading advertising as a “safe” alternative or a great way to quit smoking, with a variety of flavors to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Is Juul Dangerous?

While there are no long-term studies that have illustrated the chronic effects of vaping, there have been a variety of recent incidents that have caused a shift in public perception and has drawn the scrutiny of the FDA. The FDA warned Juul Labs, Inc., that by advertising their product as a safe alternative or effective smoking cessation tool, they were in direct violation of federal law by advertising with these dangerous, unsubstantiated claims. 

In addition to the FDA’s request for proof of these claims, there have been a variety of isolated incidents where over 1,600 people have suffered from health issues from vaping, and Juul usage in particular. 

There is an additional lawsuit that has also been filed by a former executive of the company, claiming that more than 1 million defective, expired, or otherwise contaminated pods were knowingly shipped and sold to consumers. The claims in this lawsuit are alarming, to say the least, but the company has stated that these claims are baseless. As the lawsuit proceeds, more information will emerge as to whether or not these actions actually took place.

Working With an Attorney For a Juul Lawsuit

If you or a family member have suffered from adverse health issues or nicotine addiction as a result of Juul’s false advertising or misleading tactics, contact Balkin Law Group now to speak with an attorney who can help you with your case. Juul Labs, Inc. marketed this product as a safe alternative to cigarettes and a highly-effective smoking cessation tool but did so without proof as a form of false advertising. Victims of these false claims should be addressed and compensated in order to make amends for these unconscionable and illegal actions. 

Balkin Law Group can help you move forward with your life and get the compensation that you rightfully deserve.