Walmart Tabletop Fire Pit Injury Lawsuit Trial Proposed for December 2027

Faulty design allegedly caused fire to shoot back into the fuel bottle, exploding and dousing those nearby with burning liquid.

A federal judge has recommended that a tabletop fire pit injury lawsuit against Walmart be prepared for trial in December 2027, where a jury would consider allegations that a defective design caused serious burn injuries.

Reginald Valentine, Karman Valentine and Kelbie Green filed the joint lawsuit in June, alleging Walmart knowingly marketed and sold ZIB Tabletop Fire Pits after federal regulators urged stores to stop selling them due to “flame jetting” risks.

The complaint was assigned to U.S. District Judge David Clay Fowlkes in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Tabletop Fire Pit Burn Risks

Tabletop fire pits, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, are small, portable devices designed for use on tables and other flat surfaces. They burn liquid alcohol or similar fuels to create an open flame used for heat, ambiance or cooking on patios, decks and balconies, as well as inside homes.

Some designs, like the ZIB, require users to pour liquid fuel directly into an open reservoir before lighting the fire pit. However, many of the designs do not have an indicator to tell the user if the fire has actually gone out, as some fuel flames can be invisible to the naked eye when the pits burn low.

These incidents may occur when consumers attempt to refuel a tabletop fire pit while residual heat or an unseen flame remains inside. The fuel can ignite and flash back into the container, causing it to explode and spray nearby users with burning liquid that may reach temperatures above 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

A growing number of people who suffered severe burns from flame-jetting explosions have filed tabletop fire pit injury lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors.

The lawsuits allege the products were dangerously designed and sold without adequate safety features, refueling instructions or warnings about hazards such as invisible flames and flame jetting, which can cause burning fuel to erupt toward nearby users.

According to the complaint, Reginald Valentine was adding bioethanol fuel to the fire pit’s reservoir on June 15, 2025, when it erupted with flames. Reginald suffered second-degree burns to his hands and right forearm, while Karman sustained second-degree burns to both forearms. The lawsuit indicates Kelbie suffered the most serious injuries, including second- and third-degree burns to her face, neck, chest and upper extremities, covering approximately 20% to 25% of her body. She continues to suffer facial scarring.

The lawsuit notes that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning in December 2024, calling these designs “extremely dangerous,” indicating tabletop fire pits violate ASTM F3363-19 voluntary safety standards and present risks of both pool fires and flame jetting events. Since 2019, the CPSC has linked tabletop fire pits to at least 60 injuries and two deaths, plaintiffs indicated.

Tabletop Fire Pit Scheduling Order

On August 18, Judge Fowlkes issued an initial scheduling order (PDF) that calls for the counsel and the judge to meet for a conference on September 10 to discuss the discovery process. He recommends that the case be made ready for trial by December 2027.

The judge noted that the proposed time period was just a recommendation based on the standard time similar litigation has required. He indicates the court recognizes this will not fit all scenarios and that the schedule may need to change.

The order calls for attorneys for both sides to submit three potential trial dates that will not conflict with anyone’s schedule, indicating that the dates should be set at least five months after the end of discovery.

“The parties should be diligent in proposing deadlines, as the Court will not grant extensions or continuances after entry of the final scheduling order absent a showing of good cause.”

– U.S. District Judge David Clay Fowlkes, Western District of Arkansas

Tabletop Fire Pit Injury Lawsuits

As the number of reported incidents continues to increase, attorneys are reviewing claims for potential tabletop fire pit lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered burns and other injuries during incidents involving unexpected flare-ups, flash fires and flame jetting events.

Alleged injuries associated with these products have included:

• Second- and third-degree burn injuries
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Nerve damage and loss of mobility
• Smoke inhalation and respiratory injuries
• Burns affecting children and nearby bystanders
• Fires occurring while fuel was being added to the device
• Fatal injuries resulting from fire pit explosions
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation and reconstructive procedures
• Psychological trauma and emotional distress

Those who have suffered a tabletop fire pit injury may be eligible to pursue compensation through a product liability lawsuit. Attorneys investigating potential claims can help identify the product involved, determine whether it was subject to safety warnings or recalls, and evaluate available legal remedies.

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