Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion: What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?

A tabletop fire pit is a fun way to spend an evening with family and friends, but if a fire pit suddenly erupts, leaks fuel, or explodes, the consequences can be devastating. Serious burns, permanent scarring, eye injuries, respiratory injuries, and other severe complications can require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care. If you or a loved one has been injured in a tabletop fire pit explosion, you may be wondering what type of attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Kushel Law Group is here for you 24/7 by calling us at (561) 940-0100 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion Injuries

Tabletop fire pits can reach extremely high temperatures, so when something happens this can cause risk of severe burns and other injuries. Things like improper fueling, product defects, or missing safety warnings can lead to flash fires and small explosions that send flames and hot debris flying. Here are the most common risks when using a tabletop fire pit.

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into contact with an open flame or hot surface. With tabletop fire pits, this can happen when someone accidentally touches the hot exterior or gets too close to the flame. Because these pits are at eye level on a table, hands, arms, and faces are especially at risk.

‍Flash Burns

Flash burns are a serious risk when using alcohol-fueled fire pits. If someone tries to refill the pit while it's still lit, or if flammable liquid ignites unexpectedly, a sudden burst of fire can erupt. These flash fires spread in an instant and can burn several people around the table at once.

Small Explosions

Misusing or improperly fueling a tabletop fire pit can cause dangerous flare-ups, flash fires, or explosions. When this happens, hot fuel, flames, and debris shoots outward, so anyone nearby can suffer burns and other injuries.

Smoke Inhalation

Using a tabletop fire pit indoors or in a poorly ventilated area can expose people to smoke and other combustion products. Breathing in smoke can cause respiratory irritation, and prolonged exposure may lead to more serious complications.

What Should You Do If You Get Injured by a Tabletop Fire Pit?

If you’ve been injured due to a tabletop fire, seek medical attention immediately.

‍Preserve the Fire Pit

Don’t throw away the fire pit, fuel container, packaging, instructions, or other components unless necessary for safety. Preserving the product may be important because it can provide evidence about what caused the incident and whether a defect was the cause of it.

Take Photographs

If possible, photograph the fire pit, fuel container, surrounding area, burn injuries, damaged property, packaging, and any visible defects.

Keep Your Proof of Purchase

Keep receipts, order confirmations, emails, product listings, model numbers, serial numbers, and other documentation showing where and when you purchased the fire pit.

Document Your Injuries & Treatment

Keep records of medical appointments, hospitalizations, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other treatment. Serious burn injuries can require ongoing care, so maintaining documentation will be important for your claim.

Check for Recalls & Safety Warnings

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a database of recalls and product safety warnings. Several tabletop fire pits have been recalled or specifically identified in consumer warnings because of fire and flame-jetting hazards.

Who Could Be Responsible For a Fire Pit Explosion?

Depending on the circumstances, at-fault parties could include:

• Fire pit manufacturers
• Fuel manufacturers
• The retailer or seller
• A property owner or business

Injured in a Tabletop Fire Pit Explosion? Contact Kushel Law Group’s Personal Injury Attorneys

If you were injured in a tabletop fire pit explosion in Florida, you may have legal options for seeking compensation for your injuries, damages, medical bills, or pain and suffering. A manufacturer, retailer, or insurance company may contact you after an accident to ask questions or gather information about what happened. Don’t sign anything or accept a settlement before talking with an attorney at Kushel Law Group because we have experience dealing with insurers and companies who try to offer clients low settlements or to get you to say something that could be used against you in a claim. An experienced personal injury attorney will discuss your legal options, investigate the accident and preserve evidence, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Our office is located in Boca Raton, but our attorneys also help clients in Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach. Contact us 24/7 for a free case consultation at (561) 940-0100 or by filling out our online form.

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FAQs

What injuries can a tabletop fire pit cause?

Tabletop fire pits can cause serious burn injuries, including first, second, and third-degree burns. Other injuries could be scarring, disfigurement, eye injuries, respiratory injuries, or other trauma. The CPSC has reported serious injuries associated with certain alcohol-fueled tabletop fire pits.

How can a tabletop fire pit explode?

A tabletop fire pit can explode due to flame jetting, which can happen when liquid fuel is added while a flame is still present. The flame can ignite fuel vapors and cause burning fuel to shoot out of the container.

Can I file a lawsuit if a defective tabletop fire pit injured me?

If a defective design, manufacturing defect, inadequate warning, or another product-related issue contributed to your injury, you may have a product liability claim. Florida statute of limitations for products liability claims depends on the circumstances, but it’s usually:

• 4 years for product liability claims involving injury to a person or property — Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(d)
• 2 years for wrongful death claims § 95.11(5)(e)

Should I report my tabletop fire pit injury?

You can report a dangerous product or product-related injury to the CPSC through SaferProducts.gov. Reporting an incident helps create a record of potentially dangerous products and notify other consumers of potential safety risks.