Juul Labs, considered a pioneer in the vaping industry, has settled more than 5,000 lawsuits that claim an increase in underage vaping due to the manufacturer. Lawsuits filed also claim the company has marketed the product deceptively and failed to warn consumers about product risks. 

Juul introduced e-cigarettes in 2015 as an alternative to traditional combustible cigarettes. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration called on the company to stop selling its products. Juul Labs has not sold vaping products since July 2022.

This explainer offers FAQs to share more information about the lawsuit claims, and who may be eligible to file one against the e-cigarette manufacturer.

Has Juul had previous cases before? 

Yes. A number of government officials have pursued cases against the e-cigarette manufacturer. In April 2022, Juul paid Washington state $22.5 million for their claim of marketing their product to minors, and lying about the dangers of the products. 

They also agreed to do a secret shopper program to see if vendors screened for age to ensure Juul did not market to teenagers. Juul also settled to pay $14.5 million to the state of Arizona for deceptive marketing and for minimizing the effects of cigarettes.

What are some of the claims a plaintiff can pursue against Juul?

Some of the things that a person can file against as a claim against the product includes:

• Negligence

• Intentional misrepresentation

• Breach of warranty

• Strict liability

• Failure to warn about the potential risks

In order to receive a compensatory award, a plaintiff must prove that Juul failed to deliver on one or more of its duties, and do so caused the plaintiff measurable harm. 

What health issues have been connected to e-cigarettes sold by Juul Labs?

Juul has been linked to many serious health issues. These include:

• Addiction

• Heat attacks

• Cardiac issues

• Nicotine poisoning

• Respiratory failure

• Changes in behavior

• Cardiovascular disease

• Pregnancy complications

• Mental health challenges

What are the eligibility requirements for filing a lawsuit against Juul?

To file a claim against Juul, you:

• Must be 18 years or over or you must be the parent of a child under 18 years old.

• Must experience health issues as a result of using Juul products, you or your child.

• Must be able to prove that using this product caused health issues. 

How can I file a lawsuit?

Currently, Juul lawsuits are filed under multidistrict legislation (MDL). An MDL is different from a class action lawsuit. 

A class action is one large case in which a small group of representative plaintiffs represent the entire class of affected individuals. An MDL is many separate cases consolidated before one judge for efficiency in discovery and the handling of pretrial issues. 

Joining an MDL will make legal proceedings easier because it will involve a group discovery process and different bellwether trials that help to determine compensation negotiations.

Call us today to speak with a Texas or New Mexico product liability attorney.

If you are interested in filing a claim, you should speak to a product liability lawyer to determine if you qualify for inclusion in the lawsuit. Contact Salam & Associates online at www.salampc.com or [email protected]. You may also call us for a Free Consultation at (866) 640-8998.