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Fire Pit Burn Injury Lawsuits in Florida
Updated November 2026
People burned by a defective tabletop or outdoor fire pit in Florida may be able to bring fire pit burn injury claims against the manufacturer, importer, distributor or retailer. These product liability claims can seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, scarring and pain and suffering, and families may pursue wrongful death claims after a fatal fire.
If you or a loved one were burned by a fire pit, call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 for a free consultation. There are no fees or costs unless money is recovered.
Fire Pit Burn Injury Claims at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Are there liability risks with fire pits? | Yes. A company that designs, makes or sells a fire pit that is unreasonably dangerous may be legally responsible for burns it causes. |
| What type of liability covers companies that design, make or sell products? | Product liability. It applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of defective products. |
| How many theories of product liability are there? | Claims commonly rely on design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn and negligence. Some also involve breach of warranty. |
| Can I bring a claim if I was burned before a warning or recall? | Possibly. A claim may still exist if the fire pit was defective when sold, even if no warning had been issued yet. |
| What if a fire pit burn was fatal? | The family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim through the personal representative of the person’s estate. |
Why Are Fire Pit Burn Injuries a Growing Concern?
Safety warnings and injury reports have raised concerns about fire pit burns, especially from alcohol-fueled tabletop devices. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning urging consumers to stop using certain Rozato tabletop fire pits due to flame jetting hazards, serious burn injuries and at least one reported death.
Fire pits are popular in Florida homes, on patios, pool decks and balconies, and at outdoor gatherings. Many are marketed as simple and safe, but some designs rely on fuels that can behave unpredictably.
Fire is a serious product hazard in general. A CPSC death and injury report states that in 2023, fires contributed to 5 percent or approximately 3,150 of the annual consumer product-related deaths. You can read more about the Rozato warning in our post on the Rozato fire pit lawsuit and burn injury claims.
Are There Liability Risks With Fire Pits?
Yes. When a fire pit’s design, construction or warnings make it unsafe during normal use, the companies that made and sold it may be held responsible for resulting burns.
Common risk factors may include:
- Flammable liquid fuels: ethanol or isopropyl alcohol that gives off ignitable vapors
- Open flame designs: no protective barrier between the flame and the user
- Unclear refueling warnings: instructions that do not explain the danger of adding fuel
- Close user proximity: tabletop units placed within arm’s reach of people
Because these devices are often used in close quarters, even a brief malfunction may expose people to direct flame.
What Is Flame Jetting?
Flame jetting is a sudden, forceful burst of flame that shoots outward when fuel vapors ignite. It can reach a person standing or sitting near the fire pit in an instant.
Flame jetting may occur when:
- Fuel vapors build up inside or around the device
- A user adds fuel to a fire pit that is still hot
- Vapors ignite suddenly and travel back toward the fuel container
In the Rozato fire pit warning, flame jetting was identified as a key hazard linked to severe burn injuries and at least one fatal incident.
What Problems Do People Report With Cheap Online Fire Pit Knockoffs?
Concerns raised about some low-cost tabletop fire pits sold through online marketplaces include poor fuel containment, weak or missing warnings and designs that allow sudden ignition. Not every inexpensive fire pit is defective, but buyers should check any product against CPSC warnings.
A properly working fire pit should contain and control the flame, allow safe lighting and extinguishing, burn steadily without flare-ups and keep fuel from escaping. Problems that may point to a defect include:
- Poor fuel containment
- Inadequate ventilation of fuel vapors
- No flame control or snuffing mechanism
- Insufficient warnings about refueling risks
- Design flaws that allow sudden ignition
Products sold online can also pass through several companies, such as an overseas manufacturer, an importer and a seller. Identifying each one may matter for a claim. Our article on how tabletop fire pits can cause severe burns covers these hazards in more detail.
How Do Fire Pit Burns Usually Happen?
Most fire pit burns happen in seconds, often during refueling or when a flame unexpectedly flares. Each case is different, but common scenarios include:
- Refueling a hot device: residual heat ignites fuel vapors, causing a flash fire.
- Unexpected flame burst: the device produces a sudden flare or jet of flame during use.
- Fire spreading beyond the device: flames reach nearby objects, clothing or people.
- Invisible flame misjudgment: alcohol flames can be hard to see, so users may believe the fire is out.
These scenarios may raise different technical and legal questions about what failed and who is responsible.
What Injuries Can a Fire Pit Cause?
Fire pit incidents can cause burns ranging from mild redness to deep tissue destruction. Burns to the face, hands and arms are common because people are often leaning over or reaching toward the device.
- First-degree burns (skin redness and irritation)
- Second-degree burns (blistering and deeper tissue damage)
- Third-degree burns (severe tissue destruction)
- Facial, hand and arm burns
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Severe burns may require hospitalization, skin grafts or long-term rehabilitation. Homeowners, guests and children can all be hurt, and because fire pits are used at social gatherings, several people may be injured at once.
Who May Be Liable for a Defective Fire Pit?
Under product liability law, any company in the chain of distribution of a defective fire pit may be responsible for injuries it causes. Product liability is the area of law that covers those who design, manufacture and sell products.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Distributors
- Retailers and online sellers
The same principles apply to other heat-related consumer product injuries, such as VEVOR steamer burn injury claims, Lifepro sauna blanket burn claims and lithium-ion battery fire injuries.
What Legal Theories Are Used in a Product Liability Injury Claim?
Fire pit claims commonly rely on four theories: design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn and negligence. A single case may involve more than one, depending on the facts and evidence.
| Theory | What it may involve in a fire pit case |
|---|---|
| Design defect | The fire pit’s design itself allows unsafe fuel ignition or flame spread, affecting every unit made that way. |
| Manufacturing defect | Certain units were built with flaws, such as a cracked fuel chamber, that make them more dangerous than intended. |
| Failure to warn | Consumers were not adequately told about dangers such as flame jetting or refueling while hot. |
| Negligence | A company did not use reasonable care in testing, labeling or evaluating the product’s safety. |
Additional general information about these claims is available on our product liability page.
What Evidence Matters in a Fire Pit Injury Case?
The fire pit itself is often the most important piece of evidence. Keeping it in its post-incident condition may help investigators determine what caused the fire.
Gather and keep:
- The fire pit device
- Fuel containers used
- Product instructions, labels and warnings
- Packaging and purchase receipts or order confirmations
- Photographs of injuries and the scene
- Medical records and bills
- Names of anyone who saw the incident
Can You File a Claim If the Burn Happened Before a Warning or Recall?
Possibly. A claim may still exist if the fire pit was defective when it was sold, because warnings and recalls often follow reports of serious incidents.
A claim may be possible if:
- The product contained a defect at the time of sale
- The fire pit failed during normal use
- The injury resulted from an unsafe design or a lack of adequate warning
What Compensation May Be Available?
People injured by defective fire pits may seek compensation for their financial losses and for the physical and emotional harm of a burn injury. What is available depends on each person’s circumstances.
- Medical expenses
- Burn treatment and surgeries
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term scarring or disability
Florida Statute §768.81 addresses comparative fault, which may reduce a recovery if the injured person is found partly at fault. How a product was used, and whether its warnings were clear, can matter here.
When a fire pit burn is fatal, Florida Statute §768.19 allows a wrongful death action when a death is caused by a wrongful act, negligence, default or breach of contract or warranty. These claims are generally brought by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of surviving family members.
What Should You Do After a Fire Pit Burn?
Get medical care first, then protect the evidence. Taking these steps promptly may help your health and any future claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Stop using the fire pit
- Preserve the device and fuel materials without cleaning or repairing them
- Photograph your injuries and the scene
- Keep product packaging, instructions and receipts
- Write down how the incident happened while it is fresh
- Consult a lawyer about potential claims
What Makes Fire Pit Injury Cases Challenging?
Fire pit cases often turn on technical questions about how fuel behaved and why the flame escaped. They may require careful investigation by fire investigators and engineers.
- Determining whether flame jetting occurred
- Analyzing fuel behavior and ignition patterns
- Identifying every responsible party, including overseas manufacturers
- Coordinating independent product evaluations
Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin is based in Florida, and helps burn injury victims throughout Florida, from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. The firm also handles personal injury cases in New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and throughout the U.S. with a network of co-counsels and local counsels.
Attorney Jason Turchin, the firm’s founder and principal attorney, has an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating. He is AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026 and has been named to the Super Lawyers list from 2020 through 2026.
The firm has held an A+ BBB rating annually from 2014 through 2026. Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with fees and costs waived if there is no recovery, so injured people can review their options without upfront cost. Learn more about Attorney Jason Turchin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Pit Burn Injury Claims
Can a fire pit cause serious burns?
Yes. Sudden ignition or flame jetting may cause second- and third-degree burns, permanent scarring and, in some reported cases, death.
Are tabletop fire pits safe?
Many are safe when properly designed and used. Some alcohol-fueled tabletop models may pose risks, so check for CPSC warnings and never refuel a hot device.
Is product liability insurance a legal requirement?
Insurance requirements vary by business and contract. Either way, a company’s insurance status does not decide whether it may be legally responsible for a defective product.
How long do I have to file a fire pit injury claim?
Florida law sets time limits for injury and wrongful death claims, and deadlines vary by state. Speaking with a lawyer promptly may help protect your rights.
Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer?
No. The consultation is free, and the firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, with no fees or costs unless money is recovered.
Speak With a Florida Burn Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one were burned by a fire pit that may have malfunctioned or ignited unexpectedly, you may have legal options worth exploring. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 or contact us online for a free consultation. There are no fees or costs unless money is recovered.
