LG Chem Must Face E-Cigarette Battery Explosion Lawsuit in Texas

An injured man can sue South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd. and its U.S affiliate in Texas for allegedly making and distributing a battery that exploded while inside an electronic cigarette in his pocket because of their contacts with the state, a Texas appeals court said Tuesday.

Texas courts can exercise specific personal jurisdiction over LG Chem and LG Chem America Inc., Justice Evelyn V. Keyes said for the the Texas Court of Appeals, First District.

Tommy Morgan provided evidence indicating that LG Chem “designed and manufactured its lithium-ion 18650 batteries for the Texas market, advertised them in Texas, and marketed ...