HOUSTON - Yesterday, the 14th Court of Appeals reversed a ruling denying LG Chem and LG America’s special appearances in a lawsuit brought over an exploding vape battery.
Court records show Javier Zapata sued LG America and LG Chem alleging they “designed, marketed, and/or manufactured” the 18650 lithium-ion battery, which he claimed was defective.
In his suit, Zapata alleged that the battery exploded in his pants pocket, causing him serious injuries.
Court records show LG America and LG Chem filed separate special appearances, asserting that the trial court did not have personal jurisdiction over them. The trial court denied the special appearances and the appeal followed.
On appeal, the appellants argued that the trial court erred when it denied their special appearances because there is not a substantial connection between Zapata’s claims and their contacts with Texas.
“Because the jurisdictional evidence does not establish that there is a substantial connection between the operative facts of appellee Javier Zapata’s claims and appellants’ purposeful contacts with Texas, we reverse the trial court’s order denying appellants’ special appearances and render judgment dismissing Zapata’s claims against them,” the opinion states.
Case No. 14-21-00695-CV