ST. LOUIS — A Missouri consumer is suing vape and battery distributors, citing alleged negligence and design and manufacturing defect.
Blake Palmer filed a complaint Sept. 20 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against CVGUSA LLC, Ciggfreeds Liquid and Lace LLC and Discount Smoke Shop Inc., alleging they breached their duties to manufacture products that are safe to consumers.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Feb. 26, he was at home smoking his Crown 7 e-cigarette when the device sizzled and exploded while it was in his hand. He sustained severe burns to his wrist and hand and suffered physical and emotional pain, incurred medical expenses and lost income, among other damages.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly negligently designed, manufactured and distributed the defective device and failed to warn that the device was prone to thermal runaway.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks punitive damages of more than $25,000, plus interest and any other relief that are just and proper. He is represented by John G. Simon and John M. Simon of The Simon Law Firm PC in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC11366