An Effingham County resident who was seriously injured when an e-cigarette battery exploded in his pocket has secured a $10.8 million judgment, following a Georgia Court of Appeals ruling this week that reinstated the award.

Jordan Brewer sued Samsung and two other defendants in 2020, claiming the company negligently designed, manufactured and sold the battery used in his vape pen without adequate warnings. Brewer said the device exploded in his pants pocket six months after he purchased it from a Chatham County store in 2019, causing serious injuries.

Brewer filed the lawsuit in Chatham County Superior Court, and after Samsung failed to respond to the complaint, a judge entered a default judgment and awarded him $10.8 million in general and special damages.

Samsung appealed, arguing the venue was improper and later contending that the award lacked detailed justification. In 2022, a trial court sided with Samsung and set aside the damages. But Brewer challenged that ruling, arguing the company failed to follow proper procedures throughout the case—including missing deadlines, failing to provide promised documentation, and waiting until after judgment to dispute its responsibility.

On Monday, the Court of Appeals agreed with Brewer, overturning the trial court’s decision and reinstating the $10.8 million award.