HARRISBURG - Justin Derr-Carney filed a federal complaint on October 14 in the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Sony Corporation of America, Sony Group Corporation and VooPoo for products liability.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 15, 2019, Derr-Carney purchased the Voopoo e-cigarette that contained no warning. The battery and component parts were manufactured by Sony. On the day in question, Plaintiff was working as an EMT and allegedly had a spare battery for his e-cigarette in his pants pocket with the device in his left pocket.
Plaintiff alleges his ambulance stopped at a red light and he heard a sizzling noise in his pocket; the battery had exploded. Plaintiff alleges that his pants caught fire, the ambulance filled with smoke and he had to put out the fire with his hand.
Plaintiff was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where a burn expert was called in to do an assessment on the Plaintiff. Plaintiff later had to undergo two surgeries for his injuries, which also prevented him from being able to work while he recovered, the suit says Plaintiff says he has been told he will require additional surgery on the wound area to remedy residual neurologic damage.
Derr-Carney seeks restitution and disgorgement for profits, attorney's fees, cost of suit, economic damages and punitive damages. Derr-Carney is represented by Michael S. Katz.
U.S District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 1:21-cv-01750-JPW