Rochester, New York: Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuit

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Best Lawyer and American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorney, is Committed to Protecting the Rights of Defective Tabletop Fire Pit Accident Victims Across Rochester. If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in a Rochester, New York, Tabletop Fire Pit Accident That Was Not Your Fault, Our Experienced Team of Attorneys Could Help You Collect the Evidence You Need to Obtain a Fair Settlement.

Tabletop fire pits are affordable and fashionable, but they are not without risk.

Over the past several years, regulators have raised serious concerns about the safety of some of the most popular tabletop fire pit brands. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, for instance, has described liquid-fueled fire pits as “extremely dangerous.”

"Igniting a pool of alcohol or other liquid fuel in a fire pit’s open container creates an uncontrollable pool fire, which can suddenly produce larger, hotter flames that can spread beyond the fire pit product," the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in 2024. "A small flame in the fire pit can be hard to see and can ignite alcohol or other liquid fuel as it is poured, causing an explosion that propels flames and burning liquid onto the consumer or bystanders."

In its consumer warning, the government noted that tabletop fire pits can cause spontaneous combustion or “flame jetting,” a secondary hazard that could occur if a consumer tries to refill their fire pit when it is still turned on.

If you or a loved one has sustained burns or other serious injuries from a defective tabletop fire pit, you could be entitled to significant compensation. A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades fighting for the rights of families in Rochester and across the region. We know what it takes to build a strong case and overcome even the best-built defense, and we have the results to prove it. Please send us a message online or call us today at 585-939-3939 to speak to a product liability lawyer near Rochester and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Most tabletop fire pits use isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and other liquid-based fuels.

In its safety warning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission noted that many popular fire pits “require consumers to pour isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or other liquid fuel into an open container or bowl and then ignite the pooled liquid in the same location it was poured.”

This presents several risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Unexpected combustion. Fire pits that rely on liquid-based fuels work by igniting vapor. If a fire pit is still hot during refueling, the fumes could catch fire, potentially causing a fireball or small explosion.
2. Flame jetting. Flame jetting can cause a flame or spark to travel backwards from the fire pit into the fuel container. This can cause flames to “shoot” out of the container.
3. Flashback ignition. Flashback ignition could occur alongside or in the absence of flame jetting. If the flame flashes back into the container, it could ignite the vapor inside, causing a sudden, violent explosion.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that many fire pits were designed in violation of ASTM F3363-19. This provision is not legally binding, but it sets an industry standard intended to minimize the risks inherent to liquid-based fuels.

A defective tabletop fire pit could present a serious risk of injury.

Some of the most common injuries reported after tabletop fire pit accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Second- and third-degree burns;
2. Disfiguring injuries, such as scarring;
3. The loss of a digit or appendage, like a finger or hand;
4. Traumatic injuries caused by the force of an explosion; and

Compared to other types of injuries, burns are also more likely to lead to complications, some of which can be life-threatening. This is because severe burns can destroy the epidermal tissue that makes up your outermost layer of skin, providing a convenient, easy entry point for bacteria. Since burns weaken the immune system, it could be even more difficult for the immune system to respond, turning an otherwise minor infection into a medical emergency.

Few people would purchase a tabletop fire pit if they knew that doing something as simple as refueling could lead to a serious, life-changing accident. However, manufacturers often try to deflect liability, blaming consumers for accidents and injuries they should not be expected to anticipate. You do not have to accept these excuses in place of fair compensation, but filing a personal injury lawsuit almost always requires intensive preparation and a thorough understanding of state law, federal regulation, and industry standards.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent more than 30 years filing, fighting, and winning cases like yours. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, we could help you:

1. Investigate the causes of your tabletop fire pit accident;
2. Obtain evidenceshowing that you used the fire pit as it was intended to be used;
3. Use your medical reports, pay stubs, and other information to assess your damages;
4. Represent you in negotiations with the manufacturer, its insurance company, and its defense lawyers;
5. Consult industry experts who can determine if the fire pit was inherently defective; and
6. Prepare to take your case to trial.

New York does not cap damages in most personal injury lawsuits, which means that you could secure as much money as you need to pay down your debt and begin rebuilding.

Your damages could include compensation for your:

1. Medical bills;
2. Anticipated medical care;
3. Physical rehabilitation;
4. Lost income from work;
5. Diminished earning potential;
6. Emotional pain and suffering;
7. Physical pain and suffering;
8. Loss of enjoyment;
9. Disfigurement; and
10. Wrongful death.

Since founding the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. in 2005, recognized as a Super Lawyer, Jed Dietrich, Esq., has helped his clients secure more than $300 million in damages. We could help you, too, but only if you act fast. New York may not cap compensation, but waiting too long could risk the loss of key evidence or, in a worst-case scenario, running afoul of the statute of limitations.

Call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at (585) 939-3939 to speak to a tabletop fire pit lawyer near Rochester and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (585) 939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!