Target Heating Blanket Lawsuit Filed Over Severe Burns From Threshold Heated Throw

Woman claims she still has mobility issues as a result of burn injuries suffered from the heated blanket.

A Washington woman claims that a Threshold Heated Throw sold exclusively at Target was defectively designed, reaching temperatures high enough to cause second-degree burns on her toes.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Wendy West in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on October 23, naming Target Corporation and Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. Inc. as defendants, identified as the seller and manufacturer of the Threshold Heated Throw.

Heated Blanket Recalls

Heated throws are electric blankets or bedding accessories equipped with internal heating elements, which can provide users with adjustable degrees of warmth. While generally safe, several recalls have been issued for these kinds of products in recent years due to design defects.

A prior Berkshire Blanket Heated Throws and Blankets recall was issued in November 2023, warning that nearly 30,000 of the company’s blankets and throws may contain a manufacturing defect that could cause the blankets to overheat, increasing the risk of a burn injury or fire.

That same year, a Sunbeam heated blanket recall was issued for approximately 43,000 blankets, following at least 13 reports of the blankets overheating. More recently, at least 8,500 MaxKare electric blankets sold through Walmart were recalled in June 2025, after 34 overheating reports, including two fires and three burn injuries.

Threshold Heated Throw Lawsuit

West claims she purchased a Threshold Heated Throw from a Target located in her home state sometime in November 2022, which she used for a few days without issues.

However, on November 10, 2022, while using the blanket, West says that she began to feel pain in her right foot. When she removed the blanket, she found that she had suffered burns to all five toes.

The lawsuit states that after West’s arrival at an emergency room, she was diagnosed with partial thickness burns to all five of the toes on her right foot. A partial thickness burn, also known as a second-degree burn, damages both the outer and inner layers of skin.

Although West indicates that she was treated for the burns for several months, she says that she still suffers from pain, immobility and sensitivity, which may require future medical treatment.

The complaint alleges that the Threshold blanket is defective because it gets too hot, and that it does not provide any warning about the potential for burn injuries from its use, despite Target having received complaints from customers in the past about this exact product defect.

“Target Corporation, as the seller of the product, knew or should have known about dangers posed by the Threshold Heated Throw and, upon information and belief, had received complaints from consumers about the Threshold Heated Throw causing burns and other injuries. Despite this knowledge, Target continued to sell the product.”

— Wendy West v. Target Corporation et al

West raises allegations against both defendants of manufacturing defect, design defect, warning defect and breach of express warranty, in addition to claims of negligence against Target. She is seeking past and future medical expenses, past and future lost earnings, and general damages, including pain, suffering and emotional distress.

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