Lawsuit Claims Defective Heating Pad From Amazon Caused Burn Injuries Requiring Plastic Surgery

A number of similar heating pad lawsuits have been filed in recent months, involving allegations that defective products may overheat or fail to shut off automatically, increasing burn injury risks for users.

A Florida woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging a defective heating pad purchased on Amazon malfunctioned and caused severe burn injuries, requiring months of medical treatment and plastic surgery.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Judith Minch in Florida Circuit Court on March 6, naming Sunbeam Products Inc., Newell Brands Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. as defendants. It was later removed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on April 9.

According to the lawsuit, Minch sustained severe burns to her chest when a Sunbeam heating pad purchased through Amazon allegedly overheated and failed to shut off during normal use.

Heating Pad Risks

Heating pads are commonly used to ease sore muscles, joint pain and stiffness by delivering controlled heat that promotes circulation and relaxes surrounding tissue. When operating as intended, they can provide effective relief for both routine aches and chronic conditions.

However, problems can arise if a device overheats, lacks proper temperature regulation or experiences an electrical defect. In those cases, users may be exposed to dangerously high heat levels that can cause serious burns, nerve damage or underlying tissue injury.

As a result of these kinds of incidents, numerous heating pad lawsuits have been filed against Amazon, Walmart and other distributors and manufacturers in recent months, alleging defective devices have caused catastrophic burn injuries that require extensive medical treatment.

Amazon Heating Pad Allegations

According to the lawsuit, Minch was using a Sunbeam heating pad purchased through Amazon for pain relief on October 13, 2022, when the device allegedly overheated and failed to automatically shut off as intended. The malfunction is said to have caused significant burns to her left breast.

As a result of the incident, Minch indicates she suffered severe and disfiguring injuries, requiring extensive medical care. The complaint states she underwent months of wound treatment and plastic surgery, and continues to face long-term complications, including permanent impairment and scarring.

The lawsuit alleges the heating pad contained defects that could cause it to overheat or fail to shut off automatically, increasing the risk of burns. According to the complaint, these risks were known or should have been known by the manufacturers and sellers, yet the product remained on the market.

Minch further claims the defendants failed to adequately test the heating pad, failed to implement safer alternative designs and failed to warn consumers about the potential dangers associated with prolonged use.

“As a direct and proximate result of Defendants SUNBEAM, NEWELL and AMAZON’s collective conduct, acts and omissions, Plaintiff, JUDITH MINCH, sustained severe and painful bodily injuries which caused physical deformity, permanent scarring, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.”

— Judith Minch v. Sunbeam Products Inc. et al

The lawsuit raises allegations of strict liability, strict product liability—failure to warn, and negligence.

It seeks damages for pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, hospitalization expenses, pharmaceutical expenses, travel and travel-related expenses, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money, and loss of ability to lead and enjoy a normal life. 

Heating Pad Lawsuit Settlement 

Minch’s case comes as Amazon and other heating pad manufacturers face a growing number of lawsuits alleging these products can overheat during normal use and lack adequate safety warnings to protect consumers.

In a separate case resolved late last year, Amazon reached a settlement with plaintiff Khadija Karim, who alleged she suffered second-degree burns when a heating pad reportedly overheated, stuck to her skin and could not be removed during use.

Although specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed, both parties agreed to cover their own legal costs and attorneys’ fees, and indicated they were completing the necessary paperwork to formally dismiss the case in line with court procedures.

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