Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. has been cleared of liability in a high-profile lawsuit over a vape battery explosion that severely injured a teenager, after the Seventh Circuit Court ruled the company had no direct ties to the Indiana vape market. In a unanimous 3–0 decision, the court upheld the dismissal of the case filed by B.D., a minor, who suffered third-degree burns and required skin grafts after a loose 18650 lithium-ion battery exploded in his pocket.
The battery, manufactured by Samsung SDI, had been purchased from a local vape shop by B.D.’s stepfather. The court determined that Samsung SDI did not purposefully sell or market its batteries for standalone consumer vape use, and thus could not be held liable under Indiana jurisdiction. The company produces batteries for integration into finished products like laptops and power tools, not for resale as individual units.
The ruling highlights the fine line between manufacturer liability and third-party misuse in the growing aftermarket battery trade, particularly as injuries linked to unregulated vape components continue to rise.
