Fire Pit Burn Injury Lawsuit Alleges Defective Amazon Product Engulfed Child in Flames

Lawsuit claims Amazon sold a defective tabletop fire pit that caused a flame-jetting incident, which left a child with severe and permanent burn injuries.

A mother has filed a product liability lawsuit seeking damages for severe burn injuries her child suffered when the family was using a tabletop fire pit that erupted in flames while being refueled.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Nancy Ortega on behalf of her minor child, L.C., in Florida Circuit Court on April 17, naming Amazon.com Inc. and Amazon.com Services LLC as the defendants. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on July 7.

Ortega claims Amazon and the manufacturers and sellers of the fire pit placed an unreasonably dangerous product on the market without adequate warnings about the risk of serious burn injuries.

Defective Fire Pit Burn Risks

Tabletop fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years as decorative products for indoor and outdoor use. The devices generally burn liquid or gel fuels, often containing alcohol, to produce an open flame.

However, design problems or inadequate safety features can allow flammable vapors to accumulate and ignite unexpectedly, causing flash fires, flame jetting or explosions that may result in severe or even fatal tabletop fire pit burn injuries.

As safety concerns have grown, a number of tabletop fire pit lawsuits have been filed alleging certain products contain dangerous design defects, fail to comply with applicable safety standards and lack adequate warnings about the risk of serious burn injuries.

Tabletop Fire Pit Burn Injury Allegations

According to the lawsuit, L.C. was seriously burned on April 23, 2023, when a Takekit tabletop fire pit purchased through Amazon was being used in an ordinary and foreseeable manner.

The filing indicates that while the fire pit was being refilled with liquid fuel, it allegedly malfunctioned and erupted in a flame-jetting event, which engulfed L.C. in the fire.

As a result, the child suffered severe and permanent injuries, including scarring, disability, mental anguish and loss of the ability to enjoy life. The injuries have also required hospitalization, medical treatment and nursing care that may continue in the future.

Ortega alleges the fire pit was especially hazardous around children because it exposed users to an open flame at table height and lacked adequate safeguards against spills, instability and flame jetting.

The complaint claims safer alternative designs were available, including systems that avoided pooled liquid fuel, provided greater shielding and separation from the flame, and reduced the risk of tipping or accidental contact.

“Since this incident, the minor Plaintiff L.C. has continued to suffer from injuries caused by the subject Fire Pit, including but not limited to significant and permanent scarring, disfigurement, pain, and mobility impairments.”

— Nancy Ortega v. Amazon.com Inc. et al.

Ortega raises allegations of strict liability—design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn and negligent sale and distribution of a defective product. She seeks damages for her child’s injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering and other losses.

Tabletop Fire Pit Lawsuits

As incidents like the one affecting L.C. continue to be reported nationwide, lawyers are reviewing potential tabletop fire pit lawsuits for individuals who suffered injuries from sudden flare-ups, flashback flames and dangerous “flame jetting” events linked to these devices.

Potential injuries may include:

• Second- and third-degree burns requiring medical care
• Permanent scarring, nerve damage or limited mobility
• Inhalation injuries caused by sudden bursts of flame
• Burns suffered by children or nearby bystanders
• Fires or flare-ups occurring during refueling
• Fatal injuries linked to fire pit explosions
• Lost income from missed work
• Ongoing treatment needs, including hospitalization and rehabilitation
• Long-term disfigurement or emotional trauma

Individuals injured by a tabletop fire pit may request a free case evaluation with a tabletop fire pit burn injury lawyer, who can investigate the product involved, determine whether defects or recalls may have contributed to the incident and explain the legal options that may be available.

Attorneys pursuing these claims work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront legal costs and fees are only collected if compensation is recovered.

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