Tajarly Heated Insole Caught Fire, Resulting in Permanent Nerve Damage, Lawsuit Claims

Lawsuit comes after federal safety warnings were issued for Tajarly heated insoles and similar products, which have been linked to multiple reports of fires and burn injuries.

An Idaho man has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging that a rechargeable Tajarly heated insole suddenly ignited inside his work boot, causing catastrophic burn injuries and permanent nerve damage.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Andrew C. Scovell in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho on February 16, naming Tajarly, Shenzhen Tejiali Technology Co. Ltd., Zhangfengqing, iHeat Group and Dongcang Quanzhou Trading Co. Ltd., doing business as Tokura US, all based in China, as defendants. 

Heated insoles are battery-powered inserts designed to be placed inside boots or shoes to provide adjustable warmth during cold weather. The products are typically powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and marketed as ideal for skiing, hunting, outdoor labor and other winter activities.

However, a series of heated insole safety warnings were announced last year by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), involving both Tajarly and iHeat heated insoles. According to the warnings, federal officials have received multiple reports of fires and burn injuries linked to the products, and are urging consumers to stop using the devices immediately.

The case filed by Scovell joins a growing number of heated insole lawsuits now being pursued against various manufacturers, as well as Amazon and other major retailers, each raising similar allegations that the lithium-ion batteries in the electric foot warmers contain dangerous defects, which create a risk of the devices overheating or exploding, even when turned off.

In his complaint, Scovell alleges he purchased a pair of Tajarly heated insoles through Amazon.com in November 2023 for approximately $74 and ordered a replacement set after the first pair failed to operate. After charging the second set according to the instructions, he wore the insoles to work on February 28, 2024, while performing repairs on farm equipment in his shop.

Within hours, the lawsuit states that Scovell experienced sudden and intense burning pain in his right foot. When he looked down, he allegedly saw smoke and flames coming from inside his boot. The claim indicates the heated insole caught fire spontaneously, without warning.

Scovell was able to extinguish the flames and remove his boot, but not before suffering severe burns from the heated insole.

He was initially treated at a local hospital and then transported approximately 2.5 hours away to a specialized burn unit, where he remained hospitalized for six days. During that time, he underwent multiple surgeries, including a skin graft procedure that required tissue to be taken from his thigh and transplanted to his foot, according to the complaint.

The Tajarly heated insole lawsuit alleges Scovell will require additional surgeries and now lives with chronic burning nerve pain, itching, difficulty standing and permanent impairment that affects his gait and ability to perform physical labor. As a self-employed heavy equipment mechanic, Scovell claims he lost months of income and future business opportunities and can no longer perform many essential job functions.

Scovell alleges the defendants failed to provide adequate warnings about fire risks, malfunction hazards and safe temperature settings, indicating the heating elements were capable of producing excessively high temperatures sufficient to cause ignition and serious burn injuries. Furthermore, he claims that despite prior reports of fires and injuries, the defendants continued to sell the heated insoles online and, after removal from certain platforms, rebranded or repackaged similar products for sale through newly formed entities.

“Despite Defendants’ statements, representations, guarantees, warranties, and/or promises regarding the Tajarly Heated Insoles, upon reason and belief, Tajarly Heated Insoles were not safety tested by Underwriters Laboratories or any other Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and did not comply with or meet recognized safety standards.”

— Andrew C. Scovell v. Tajarly et al

The complaint raises allegations of strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violations of Idaho consumer protection laws, as well as negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Scovell is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and permanent impairment, in addition to punitive damages for what the lawsuit characterizes as willful and reckless conduct.

Heated Insole Lawsuits

With tens of thousands of these devices sold nationwide in recent years, there are now a growing number of reports being submitted involving problems where a heated insole caught fire, often resulting from a battery failure or thermal runaway event.

In many of the reports, individuals wearing the products were left with devastating second- and third-degree burns, often leading to surgical debridement due to the heated insole burns.

As a result of known design defects associated with the products, heated insole injury attorneys are reviewing claims on behalf of consumers nationwide. Investigations focus on incidents where these battery-powered products allegedly malfunctioned during ordinary use, leading to serious injuries, including:

• Burns to the feet or toes
• Overheating, igniting or catching fire during normal use
• Emergency medical treatment or hospitalization for burn injuries
• Surgery or skin grafts related to foot burns
• Ongoing pain, scarring or mobility limitations

Foot warmer lawsuits seek to hold manufacturers and sellers accountable for allegedly distributing unsafe products without proper testing, safeguards or warnings.

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