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# First Vaping-related Death Reported in Michigan
- URL: https://www.legalexaminer.com/smith-johnson/health/first-vaping-related-death-reported-in-michigan/
- Published: 2019-10-08T15:34:26.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-03T20:27:00.000Z
- Description: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services [MDHHS] reported on October 4th that they have seen the first death in Michigan due to a vaping-related lung injury. They are urging vaping users who experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever and/or…
- Author: Smith & Johnson, Attorneys, P.C.
- Tags: Health

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services \[MDHHS\] reported on October 4th that they have seen the first death in Michigan due to a vaping-related lung injury. They are urging vaping users who experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever and/or nausea and vomiting to immediately seek medical attention.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, there have been 1,080 lung injury case associated with e-cigarettes or vaping products nationally. 18 deaths have been confirmed in 15 states \[not including the recent death in Michigan\].

Recently, in the [New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. David C. Christiani, M.D. wrote](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1912032?ref=legalexaminer.com), “there is clearly an epidemic that begs for an urgent response”. Current litigation against JUUL, Labs, Inc. has uncovered a company that has downplayed the dangerousness of their product. As the [New York Times reports](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/health/vaping-juul-e-cigarettes-fda.html?ref=legalexaminer.com): “Juul Labs, the dominant e-cigarette company, illegally marketed its vaping products as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration said on Monday, casting a deepening shadow over the safety of e-cigarette devices.” As recently as September, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to JUUL. In that [warning letter](https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/juul-labs-inc-590950-09092019?ref=legalexaminer.com), the FDA stated that JUUL violated federal regulations by touting it’s vaping products as being safer than traditional tobacco products.

It’s becoming clear that vaping is probably a much more dangerous alternative to traditional tobacco products. Dr. Brandon Larson, a surgical pathologist at Mayo Clinic recently reviewed lung biopsies from 17 patients, all of whom had vaped. [He confirmed direct chemical injury to the lungs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efGkEo7ZSeI&ref=legalexaminer.com) “similar to what one might see with exposure to toxic chemical fumes, poisonous gases and toxic agents”.

[Smith & Johnson](https://smith-johnson.com/?ref=legalexaminer.com) is currently interviewing potential Michigan claimants for inclusion in this [litigation re: JUUL e-cigarettes](https://www.smith-johnson.com/our-services/personal-injury-law/juul-litigation?ref=legalexaminer.com). If you have questions about this product and what rights you may have, please contact [Attorney Tim Smith](https://www.smith-johnson.com/attorneys/timothy-p-smith?ref=legalexaminer.com) at 231.946.0700 for a free consultation.