Battery Expert Witnesses Comment on Electronic Cigarette Explosion

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Updated onOctober 10, 2017

Battery Expert Witnesses Comment on Electronic Cigarette Explosion

This case involves a woman who was carrying an e-cigarette that was operated by two lithium ion batteries, which underwent an explosive failure while in close contact with the Plaintiff’s leg. The cigarette, manufactured by a popular maker of electronic cigarettes and accessories, had been purchased by the Plaintiff from a specialty vaporizer shop a few weeks before the incident in question. While the Plaintiff was carrying the cigarette on her walk to work, the batteries exploded in her pocket, causing severe burns to her leg. It is alleged that the batteries and/or the electronic cigarette was defectively designed and manufactured, and that the Plaintiff was not warned of the risk of battery explosions.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you have knowledge about e-cigarettes and lithium ion batteries in specific regards to to e-cigarettes?

2. Please explain your experience in the industry.

Expert Witness Response E-042632

inline imageI have over twenty years of experience in lithium ion batteries, ranging from R&D to production, to supply chain management and production process quality. I have conducted numerous failure analyses involving lithium-ion battery fires. I have also visited many lithium ion production factories that make lithium ion cells for e-Cigarettes. The batteries are frequently improperly designed by cramming too much energy into the batteries or devices. They cannot handle the current causing "thermal runaway" which results in a battery meltdown or explosion.

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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