Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Pit Explosion & Burn Lawsuits

Preserve all the evidence related to the incident — the fire pit itself, fuel containers, receipts, packaging, and photos. Even partially melted or broken parts can reveal manufacturing defects or match a CPSC recall. Never discard or return the product before consulting an attorney.

A recall does not erase liability. If you were injured before or after a fire pit recall notice, you may still be entitled to damages. In fact, recalls often strengthen your claim by proving the manufacturer already knew about the hazard.

Yes. Retailers and online marketplaces can be held liable if they sold, shipped, or profited from a defective fire pit. Courts have ruled that Amazon and similar platforms can be treated as distributors when they fulfill or handle sales for unsafe products.

Most explosions are caused by flame jetting — when ethanol or gel fuel vapors ignite unexpectedly during refueling. Invisible flames and poor bottle design allow the vapor to flash back into the container, projecting fire several feet outward.

Every fire pit explosion lawsuit is different, but victims may recover for medical expenses, surgeries, pain and suffering, disfigurement, lost income, and emotional trauma. In severe cases, juries may also award punitive damages against companies that ignored known safety risks.

You may still have a case. Even if the product came from a third-party vendor on Amazon, Walmart, or eBay, those platforms can still share liability for unsafe or recalled products sold through their systems.

The injured person, a parent or guardian (for minors), or surviving family members (in wrongful-death cases) may all be eligible to file claims. Our firm helps families navigate these sensitive cases nationwide.

Most product-defect cases take 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity accident, the severity of the injuries, number of defendants, the financial viability of the defendants, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Many claims during the discovery process shortly after expert testing and/or depositions have been taken. If a case doesn’t resolve, we have no problem with taking the negligent parties to trial.

Your legal team works with fire and chemical engineers to test the product and replicate the explosion. They secure and examine the fire pit explosion evidence, debris, scene evidence, written warnings and compare its design to ASTM safety standards and evaluate whether it lacked required features like flame arrestors or vapor barriers.

Get medical help, photograph the scene, and preserve all product explosion or fire pit evidence. Do not throw away bottles or debris, and avoid posting about the incident online. Contact an experienced product defect injury lawyer as soon

If your injuries are serious, filing an individual product-liability claim is often better than joining a class action. Class actions usually are applying the same damages across the board in the way of refunds for the purchase price, not individual injuries that our clients have suffered. A separate fire pit injury lawsuit allows you to recover for your specific injuries and losses, medical and emotional damages rather than sharing a group settlement. Our law firm is ONLY handling separate product defect injury lawsuits, not any class action claims.

All cases are taken on a contingency-fee basis — meaning no fees or expenses unless compensation is recovered. This ensures every victim has access to justice regardless of financial situation.

Even if you didn’t buy the product yourself or if you bought it at  garage sale or on Craigslist or eBay, you can still pursue a claim. Legal responsibility follows the product — not who paid for it. Keep any available receipts or order confirmations if possible.

Attorney David P. Willis is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer (Texas Board of Legal Specialization, since 1988) and a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas. With over 40 years of experience, he represents burn victims nationwide in catastrophic product-defect, burns and explosion cases.

Yes. In 2025, the CPSC recalled Colsen and Five Below tabletop fire pits after dozens of injuries from flame jetting and vapor ignition. New lawsuits are still being filed nationwide against these brands and online retailers. Even if your incident occurred before the recall, you may still have a valid case.

Yes. Even second-degree burns or partial scarring can qualify for compensation if caused by a defective or recalled fire pit. Many victims initially underestimate their injuries. Our firm can evaluate whether your case qualifies for a settlement or personal-injury claim. Never hurts to call and find out.

Foreign manufacturers can still be held accountable through their U.S. importers, distributors, and retailers. Under federal law, companies that introduce defective products into the U.S. market share liability. We frequently file claims against American importers and online sellers when foreign companies cannot be reached.

Insurance may help with some medical bills or property damage, but it rarely covers long-term care or pain and suffering. A lawsuit against the manufacturer or retailer provides the best route for full compensation beyond insurance limits and holds the responsible companies accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire pit fire or explosion, don’t wait. Critical evidence may be lost and filing deadlines could pass.

Call 1-800-447-FIRE or fill out our free online case review form.

You’ll speak directly with a legal team experienced in fire pit explosion and ethanol burn lawsuits. Evidence preservation can begin the same day you contact us. There are no upfront costs, and we only collect fees if we win your case.