LG Chem Suffers Setback in Hawaii Vaping Battery Burn Lawsuit

A Hawaii resident who says his electronic cigarette’s battery exploded while he was using the device got a favorable answer from the state’s top court on whether South Korean conglomerate LG Chem Ltd. could be subject to suit in Hawaii.

LG Chem has contested jurisdiction in state courts across the US in numerous suits alleging its batteries caused burn injuries to electronic cigarette users, with mixed results.

Matt Yamashita alleged he was permanently burned by an LG 18650 lithium-ion battery. LG and its unit LG Chem America Inc. denied distributing that particular battery in Hawaii and Yamashita didn’t produce evidence ...