Michigan Civil Rights & Product Liability Law Blog

Vape pen explosion cuts carotid artery and kills man

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in e-Cigarette Product Liability on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

Vape pens or e-cigarettes have become mainstream throughout Michigan, but malfunctions of the battery-operated devices can prove fatal. A recent out-of-state case illustrates the severity of injuries that defective e-cigarettes can deliver. The explosion of a vape pen caused cerebral infarction and herniation after debris dissected a 24-year-old man's carotid artery. He reportedly died in a hospital two days after the explosion.

His relatives told the media that medical staff placed the man in a medically induced coma. His X-rays showed that parts of the vape pen had lodged in his throat. His grandmother did not know why surgery was not attempted for him. A spokeswoman from the medical center could not provide a public comment due to health privacy laws.

Ex-police sergeant, 2 paramedics charged for inmate's death

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in Police Misconduct on Monday, January 28, 2019.

A former police sergeant and two paramedic workers have been charged in the fatality of a Westland Jail inmate. The trio was bound over on misconduct in office charges on Jan. 22. Manslaughter charges that were filed against the three were dismissed after the judge found that there was insufficient evidence to support such charges.

The incident happened at the Westland Jail in March 2018. According to prosecutors, the inmate was taken into custody and then began having convulsions in his cell. He reportedly yelled for help but was ignored by the former Westland Police Department sergeant and the two paramedics.

Protect yourself: Understand why e-cigarettes explode

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

E-cigarettes became very popular because of their ability to be used in places where smoking was banned. This helped people who were affected by smoking bans continue to get the nicotine they were addicted to without gums, patches or other treatments.

E-cigarettes also had the benefit of being ideal for curing the smell of smoke. They pose less threat to those around the smoker (though this does not make second-hand smoke "safe"), and they don't produce the smell of cigarette smoke that so many people don't like.

Michigan Conviction Integrity Unit Frees Two Inmates

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in Wrongful Imprisonment on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Over the past three decades, new scientific testing and technology have opened people's eyes to the injustice of the justice system. This is something that is plainly evident in the state of Michigan where 72 prisoners have been exonerated since 1991.

As mentioned in a previous blog, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has a unit focused on righting wrong convictions. The Conviction Integrity Unity recently made headlines when they discovered evidence that led to the exoneration of two men.

Explosions of e-cigarette batteries cause fires and injuries

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in e-Cigarette Product Liability on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Electronic cigarette devices, such as vape pens, have become a routine sight in Michigan, but a growing record of fires and injuries attributed to the devices has prompted authorities to raise the alarm. A state-level fire marshal in another state told the media that the explosion of a vape pen killed one man. The marshal also highlighted another case that involved a man who suffered serious burns after his e-cigarette device blew up in his pocket.

The U.S. Fire Administration reported at least 195 incidents of e-cigarette devices exploding or starting fires between 2009 and 2016. These incidents produced 133 injuries, and 38 cases involved severe injuries.

Expert witnesses can help overcome a wrongful conviction

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in Wrongful Conviction on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

Michigan residents who have been accused of a crime or who are the subject of an investigation soon realize the enormity and strength of the opposition forces lining up to push for a conviction. The number of investigators, the volume and scope of scientific detection resources employed, and the input from the prosecutor's office might all contribute to an extremely uneven playing field for a defendant. With this reality, it is not that uncommon for an innocent person to be convicted of a crime.

If you have been convicted of a crime that you did not commit, it is unfortunately not possible to get back the time that you spent in jail or prison. Furthermore, a wrongful conviction has drastic consequences on your family, your friends, your reputation, and your opportunities for future employment. However, you might be in a position to obtain compensation for your damages. Our law firm has helped many people like you seek justice through the filing of a civil lawsuit against the party or parties that were responsible for your plight.

Mueller Law Firm in the News

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in Firm News on Friday, December 7, 2018.

Two Mueller Law Firm clients, Ledura Watkins and Darrell Siggers, testified this week before the Michigan Legislature on the need for a Forensic Commission to oversee the state's crime labs. Watkins and Siggers, who were wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 42 and 34 years behind bars before being exonerated, gave testimony to highlight the flaws in forensic science that contributed to their convictions. Siggers also appeared on a WDIV (Ch. 4 - Detroit) news story on November 26 that highlighted the success of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office's Conviction Integrity Unit, led by Valerie Newman.

E-cigarettes: A danger to your safety and health

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in e-Cigarette Product Liability on Monday, December 3, 2018.

When E-cigarettes were first placed on the market, they seemed like the perfect solution for addiction to cigarettes. They claimed to be healthier and better for those who needed to feed a nicotine addiction without the risks of cigarettes.

The problem is that these new devices were dangerous, but people didn't know yet. They are just as addictive as normal cigarettes. The devices have nicotine and flavoring inside, but fewer of the toxins found in cigarettes.

New unit in Wayne County reviewing convictions

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in Wrongful Conviction on Friday, November 30, 2018.

This year, a new unit was started in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office aimed at catching incorrect convictions.

This unit is the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit. It started up in January. The unit reviews convictions in which claims of innocence have been made. It reviews all aspects of a case to see if there is evidence indicating the conviction was incorrect.

Injuries around e-cigarettes are being under reported

On behalf of Mueller Law Firm posted in e-Cigarette Product Liability on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

E-cigarette explosion and burn injuries may happen more frequently than people expect.

A new study shows that e-cigarette injuries have been inaccurately reported for years. It turns out exploding batteries from these devices are more common than previously thought.