Board-Certified Trial Lawyer | Former Attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas | Licensed in Texas & New York
When a fire pit, ethanol burner, or gel-fuel device explodes or flame jetting, the aftermath is chaos — burned clothing, melted debris, and shattered bottles. In those moments, it’s natural to focus only on medical emergencies. But soon after, what you do next can determine whether your legal case succeeds or fails.
Preserving physical and photographic evidence immediately after an explosion is essential. Every bottle of alcohol or ethanol fuel, every fragment, every charred label can prove how and why the product failed — and whether it violated federal safety standards or recall orders.
At FirePitLawsuits.com, Attorney David P. Willis has handled catastrophic explosion and burn cases for more than 40 years. A Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer (Texas Board of Legal Specialization, since 1988) and former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, he represents burn victims nationwide through association with local counsel. His team knows how to protect critical evidence and build the strongest possible case.
Manufacturers and retailers almost always deny responsibility after an explosion. They may claim user error, improper fuel use, or “failure to follow instructions.” Without hard evidence, victims are left vulnerable to those defenses.
When evidence is collected and preserved correctly, it can show:
Every successful fire pit or fire jetting explosion lawsuit begins with preserved physical proof. Once evidence is discarded, it’s gone forever.
Always prioritize emergency treatment first. After calling 911 or visiting the ER:
Your health comes first — but medical evidence also supports the severity and causation of the injuries in your claim.
Once the area is safe:
Many victims make the mistake of returning a recalled product for a refund, unintentionally destroying the evidence needed to win their case.
Photos are often the most powerful evidence in explosion cases. Capture:
High-resolution images help expert engineers reconstruct the sequence of events and link the injuries directly to the defective product.
The packaging often contains the model number, brand name, and distributor information that trace the device to a recalled batch or foreign manufacturer. Keep:
This information allows attorneys to prove the chain of distribution and identify who can be held legally responsible.
After a reported injury, manufacturers or retailers may offer to “inspect” the product or “process your claim.” These inspections are not independent. Once you surrender the product, the company can test or destroy it under conditions you can’t verify.
Instead, your attorney should:
Attorney David P. Willis routinely issues preservation letters to manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to ensure that no testing or disposal occurs without your legal team’s participation.
Memories fade fast after a traumatic explosion. If friends, neighbors, or guests witnessed the event:
Witness details can confirm the product malfunctioned and that victims acted reasonably and safely.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) encourages victims to report all burn or explosion incidents involving tabletop fire pits, ethanol fuels, and gel burners.
Reporting your injury helps federal investigators identify recurring product defects and issue future recalls. Submitting a report also creates a time-stamped government record that supports your claim.
Product-defect lawsuits require specialized legal and technical experience. A skilled attorney can:
Attorney David P. Willis brings over four decades of product-liability trial experience, including ethanol, propane, and consumer explosion cases. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and represents victims nationwide with local counsel partnerships.
Time is critical. Manufacturers often modify or discontinue unsafe products after recalls, making it harder to locate matching exemplars. Over time, key evidence degrades:
Acting quickly ensures your attorney can capture the most accurate forensic picture and protect your right to compensation.
Each successful fire pit explosion case depends on this kind of documentation. Without it, even the strongest claims can fail.
Don’t post videos, photos, or comments about the incident on social media before speaking with an attorney…
If a fire pit explosion or ethanol-alcohol fueled flashback caused burns to you or a loved one, don’t wait. Critical evidence can be lost within days.
Our team can immediately issue evidence preservation letters, secure the defective product, and begin investigating whether your unit was part of a recalled or defective batch.
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FirePitLawsuits.com – National investigations of alcohol-fueled fire pit explosions and burn injuries. * Willis is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law (since 1988), certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.Representing injured clients nationwide through association with local attorneys in compliance with each state’s bar rules. Licensed in Texas and New York. Willis Law Firm, 5005 Riverway Drive, Suite 160, Houston, Tx. – Principal Place of Business – All meetings by appointment only.
Acknowledgment & Thank You – Certain Safety Images and Public-Education Materials, Alerts, and Warnings referenced on this site are courtesy of Health Canada and the CPSC.
