Walmart Avoids Liability for Teen’s Death From Aerosol Huffing

Walmart Inc. isn’t liable for a Mississippi teenager’s death from inhaling an aerosol dusting product bought at the store, a federal district court ruled.

Charles Stroud Sr. alleges his son “huffed,” or intentionally inhaled, Ultra Duster keyboard cleaner, purchased from Walmart by an adult in the family. He died as a result, Stroud alleges.

Summary judgment is appropriate here for three separate reasons, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi said May 16.

The causal chain is broken because Walmart allegedly sold the product to the adult, who gave it to the 15-year-old, who misused it, the ...