Samsung Gets Exploding Battery Lawsuit Bounced on Jurisdiction

Samsung SDI Co. won’t face negligence claims related to a lithium battery explosion because a burn victim didn’t establish the company was subject to Illinois court jurisdiction, a unanimous state appellate court ruled Tuesday.

Steven Wood sued Samsung in a state circuit court after an e-cigarette fitted with a Samsung lithium-ion battery cell purchased from Illinois-based Tribble Vapors LLC exploded in his pocket, burning his leg and hand and requiring a one-week hospital stay. Samsung unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.

But a three-justice Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District panel reversed that decision, sending ...