Another six companies are recalling their pourable gel fuel products over
concerns that they may causeburn injuries to consumers. It was just last
month that nine other manufacturers recalled more than 2 million units
of pourable gel units following reports of serious injuries and deaths.
The gel fuel can ignite when being poured into a still lit firepot. In
the event that the fuel was to splatter, landing on people, objects, and
the surrounding area, flash fires can erupt, causing serious burn injuries.
Already, there have been at least 65 incidents reported. 28 of them resulted
in 37 burn injuries. These flash fires can be hard to extinguish. A person
on fire because of a gel fuel cannot just “stop, drop, and roll.”
Dousing the victim with water won’t necessarily do the job either
and trying to pat the fire off him/her can cause the flames to spread
onto the person attempting to make a rescue. According the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, a BC-rated or ABC-rated dry powder/chemical fire extinguisher
is your best bet.
Burns injuries to the face, hands, chest, arms, and legs and at least
two deaths have occurred from these accidents. Recent injury victims include
a 14-year-old who went into a coma and needed a ventilator to stay alive.
Two male adult friends sustained numerous burn injuries during the same
incident. One of the victims, 24, already has had multiple surgeries to
treat his burns.
One couple recently filed a Florida products liability lawsuit over their
burn injuries from using a NAPAfire and FIREGEL Gel Fuel, which also has
recalled its gel fuel products. Because that company has sued for bankruptcy,
they are not pursuing damages against it. They are, however, going after
the sellers of the gel fuel and firepot and the company that packaged
the product.
Remember, that there may be more than one party that can be held liable
for burn injuries caused by a defective product. Depending on the specifics
of your case, manufacturers, sellers, retailers, those in charge with
packaging and marketing the products, and distributors are just some of
the possible defendants.
List of manufacturers that have recalled their pourable gel fuel products:
• Napa Home & Garden, which recently declared bankruptcy
• Smart Solar Inc.
Pacific Décor Ltd.
• Lamplight Farms Inc.
• Sunjel Company
• Bird Brain Inc.
• Real Flame of Racine
• Luminosities Inc.
• Fuel Barons Inc.
• Bond Manufacturing
• Husqvarna Zenoah Co. Ltd.
• Luminosities/Windflame Inc.
• Smart Solar Inc.
• Real Flame
• Fuel Barons
• Bond Manufacturing Co.
You want to work with a products liability law firm that knows how to
prove that a company was negligent.
Recalls, CPSC
Nine Manufacturers, Distributors Announce Consumer Recall of Pourable
Gel Fuel Due to Burn and Flash Fire Hazards, CPSC, September 1, 2011
Calls to ban gel fuel heat up, Chicago Tribune, August 10, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Burns, Medline Plus
Products Liability, Justia
More Blog Posts:
Products Liability: Fire Gel Fuel Used in Firepots, Fancy Torches, and
Personal Fireplaces Posing a Serious Burn Injury Hazard to Consumers,
Product Liability Law Blog, August 3, 2011
Preventing Injuries to Children: Are Gas Fireplaces a Burn Hazard?, Product
Liability Law Blog, March 8, 2010
Burn and Electrocution Injuries Are Reasons for Latest CPSC Recalls of
Heaters, Holiday Lights, Waffle Makers, and Tealight Candleholders, Product
Liability Law Blog, March 4, 2009
The Gilbert Law Group® represents victims and their families throughout the US. We are not afraid to go up against large companies to fight our clients’ recovery.
