A fire starter gel lawsuit may be an option for people who have suffered burns caused by using fire starter logs, packets, or gels. These products have reportedly caused a number of serious burn injuries, and they have been subject to both recalls and government scrutiny. Injured parties may be eligible to seek compensation for injuries with the help of a product liability lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Fire Starter Gel Dangers
Reported cases of injuries caused by fire starter gels and other products, as well as government assessments of their safety, demonstrate why a fire starter gel lawsuit may be appropriate for people who suffer serious burns caused by these products.
In one case, according to wvrecord.com, a 7-year-old child suffered severe burns to 65 percent of his body when the fire starter gel that he was using to rekindle a fire, allegedly touched a hot ember and caused the gel container to explode. The parents of the child later settled with the five defendants named in the lawsuit.
Another incident involving fire starter gels is reported by saferproducts.gov, where a bottle of fire starter gel was sitting five feet away from a fifty-gallon drum a woman was using to burn trash. Even though the woman did not use the gel to accelerate the burning of the trash, something in the barrel popped and flung debris towards the fuel gel bottle resulting in its contents exploding over the woman, causing severe burns over most of her body. Because the product was a gel, the flames were not easily extinguished. The woman spent several months in a burn unit and barely survived.
Fire Starter Gel Recalls
- In June 2011, Napa Home and Garden recalled 460,000 units of fire starter gel after 37 reports of accidents with 23 of them involving injuries to consumers.
- In September 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), in cooperation with nine manufacturers and distributors, announced a recall of all pourable gel fuels made or sold by these companies. The recall involved nearly two million units of various gel fuels. The CSPC was aware of 65 incidents resulting in two deaths and 34 victims who were hospitalized with second and third degree burns of the face, chest, hands, arms or legs.
An assessment carried out by the CPSC Directorate for Engineering Services concluded that most fire starter gel fuels did have a lack of safety features in their containers as well as inadequate warning labels:
“Most gel fuels are marketed for indoor and outdoor use; the gel fuel containers use phrases such as ‘environmentally friendly,’ ‘eco-friendly,’ ‘live safe and burn safe,’ and the fuel is commonly packaged in containers that look similar to plastic-like water bottles. These packaging characteristics do not convey effectively the serious fire and burn risks gel fuel presents and may reduce the likelihood of consumers paying attention to the list of warnings.”
People who have been injured, or family members of loved ones killed, by fire starter fuel gels are advised to seek the advice of a fire starter gel lawsuit attorney to help them protect their legal rights.
How a Fire Starter Gel Lawsuit Can Help
Manufacturers have a duty to make products that are safe and free of defects. If this duty is breached, the manufacturer can be held liable for injuries and damages to property that result.
If a victim suffers a burn caused by the wrongdoing or negligence of another party, he or she may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Medical expenses
- Disfigurement
- Loss of income or ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from an injury
If a victim dies as a result of a burn injury caused by the wrongdoing or negligence of another, his or her family members may be able to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. Wrongful death damages can include:
- Mental anguish, and pain and suffering from the loss of a loved one
- Loss of relationship or a loved one’s financial support
- Funeral expenses
- Conscious pain and suffering or a loved one prior to death
Affected persons and their families should consider speaking with a fire starter gel lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.Get Help Now.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
