GeekVape Aegis Lawsuit Filed Over Severe Burns Caused by Vape Pen Explosion

Vape pen manufactured by GeekVape exploded in man’s pocket “suddenly and without any warning,” lawsuit alleges.

A Connecticut man has filed a lawsuit against GeekVape, alleging that his Aegis vape pen exploded in his pocket while he was at work, causing severe burns and permanent disfigurement.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by John Terni in the Superior Court of Waterbury Connecticut last month, naming Silver City Vapors II, LLC and GeekVape Technology Co., Ltd as defendants.

Vape pens and e-cigarettes are handheld devices that deliver flavored nicotine through vapor, offering an alternative to traditional smoking. These products are typically powered by small lithium-ion batteries, which have increasingly come under scrutiny due to their risk of overheating and exploding.

Many of these batteries are cheaply made and lack proper safety mechanisms, making them vulnerable to a dangerous phenomenon known as thermal runaway, a chain reaction where the battery overheats uncontrollably, leading to fire, explosion or both. This can occur while the device is being used, placed in a pocket, or even left charging, putting users at risk of serious injuries such as burns, facial trauma or hand damage.

As reports of these incidents have grown, a rising number of vape battery explosion lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers, alleging that design flaws and substandard components have caused avoidable injuries to unsuspecting consumers.

According to the lawsuit, Terni purchased the GeekVape Aegis vape pen from Silver City Vapors in Southington, Connecticut, sometime before April 2022. The device was designed and manufactured by GeekVape Technology Co., Ltd., a company based in Shenzhen, China, which is also named as a defendant in the case.

On the morning of April 7, 2022, while seated at work with the vape pen in his right pants pocket, Terni claims the device suddenly and without warning exploded. The complaint describes a violent burst of flames erupting from his pocket, reaching as high as his head. In a panic, Terni was unable to remove the burning device himself and had to rely on another individual to physically tear it from his clothing to stop the fire.

The explosion allegedly caused second-degree burns to his right leg, knee and calf, along with multiple lacerations, contusions, bruising and skin discoloration. Terni indicates the injuries were so severe that they resulted in long-term physical limitations, including a diminished range of motion, persistent pain and difficulty sleeping. 

He has since undergone medical treatment, surgery and physical therapy, incurring substantial healthcare costs in the process.

In the complaint, Terni argues that the incident could only have occurred due to a defect in the design or manufacture of the device.

“The incident of April 7, 2022, which caused the injuries and damages incurred by the Plaintiff would not ordinarily occur absent some product defect,” Terni said. “This defect was most likely attributable to the manufacturer and not some other reasonably probable cause.”

The lawsuit brings multiple counts against Silver City Vapors and GeekVape, including negligence, strict products liability, and liability under Connecticut’s “malfunction theory,” which allows plaintiffs to pursue claims even without pinpointing a specific defect when a product fails under normal use.

Terni is seeking damages in excess of $15,000 to compensate for his physical injuries, emotional distress and financial losses.