Is vaping to blame for the disease of the suburban man?

Man suing JUUL, claiming the company didn’t post an adequate warning

PALOS HEIGHTS, Illinois – Over the past decade, many people have viewed e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to smoking.

Michael Lumpkins from the southern suburbs was one of those people. The father of two from Palos Heights started using e-cigarettes a few years ago. He said he believes the product is less risky than smoking. Within a year he said he contracted pneumonia. Even while on antibiotics, the infection migrated to his brain, causing permanent lesions. On scans, the damage looks like a brain injury.

Brian LaCien is an attorney representing Lumpkins.

“Unfortunately, in the case of Mr Lumpkins, where the infection [traveled] was in his brain space, which was a rare type of infection,” he said. “That [e-cigarette] He had reduced his body’s ability to fight the disease.”

Lumpkins is now suing JUUL Labs, one of the largest e-cigarette manufacturers in the world. The lawsuit alleges the company failed to properly issue warnings about the risks of using its product.

A company spokesman did not respond to WGN’s repeated requests for comment.

Lumpkins now struggles to walk and take care of himself. His cognitive function is also impaired.

“It beat me to death,” he said.

Lumpkins’ lawsuit is now moving through the courts. Meanwhile, when asked what advice he had for e-cigarette users, he said: “Stop now. Vaping killed me.”