Table-Top Fire Pit Accidents in California: Everything You Need to Know
At Case Barnett Law, we know that recovering from a serious accident involves more than physical healing. If you suffered serious injuries in an accident caused by someone else, you deserve to recoup your financial damages and intangible losses, too. Contact us to get started.
In Southern California, the mild weather encourages outdoor living almost year-round. Many Californians rely on devices like table-top fire pits to weather the cooler months to add warmth and ambiance to their environment. 
Although these devices can enhance various outdoor spaces, from private backyard patios to public venues, they pose significant risks. If table-top fire pits are not used, designed, or manufactured correctly, they can cause serious accidents and injuries. If you suffered injuries in a table-top fire pit accident, it’s crucial to understand your rights.
This article will explore the nature of table-top fire pit accidents, including the legal framework surrounding them, steps to take after an accident, your options for pursuing compensation, and how an experienced Costa Mesa personal injury attorney can help.
Need help navigating your legal options? Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for help. The trusted injury lawyers at Case Barnett Law are here to help. Call our law office at (949) 409-0055 to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate attorney.
How Table-Top Fire Pits Are Designed
Table-top fire pits are designed for convenience and portability, making them an increasingly popular choice in restaurants, bars, and private spaces across Southern California. The warm feel and inviting look of these devices make them seem harmless, but that’s not the case.
These seemingly quaint installations are typically powered by gel fuel or propane. Improperly manufactured, maintained, or used table-top fire pits can erupt in large fires and even explosions. The people in the vicinity can suffer serious burn injuries and other devastating consequences.
Common Causes of Table-Top Fire Pit Accidents
If you suffered injuries in a table-top fire pit accident, one of the first things your attorney will help you determine is what caused it. A table-top fire pit accident can occur for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Manufacturing defects. Some table-top fire pits contain design flaws that increase the risk of fires and other accidents. Manufacturing defects, including issues with fuel containers, inadequate ventilation, or damaged materials, can also result in accidents.
- Improper use or failure to warn. Some table-top fire pit accidents are caused by improper use. This issue can be exacerbated by the manufacturer's inadequate instructions or warning labels.
- Fuel gel explosions. Fuel gel can be highly unstable and can explode when improperly handled. Even simple mistakes, such as attempting to refill the fuel canister while the fire pit is still hot or ignited, can result in serious explosions.
These are just a few things that cause table-top fire pit accidents—not exhaustive. After your attorney helps you determine the underlying cause of the accident, you can start assessing liability.
Table-Top Fire Pit Accident Lawsuits in California
In California, people injured in table-top fire pit accidents may be eligible to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Several types of personal injury lawsuits may be appropriate, depending on the specific details of the accident.
Your attorney can help you explore the following options:
- Product liability claims. If a defective table-top fire pit caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue a product liability claim. These lawsuits can be based on design defects, manufacturing defects, failure to warn, and more. Rather than individuals, these lawsuits are typically aimed at business entities.
- Negligence-based injury lawsuits. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s reckless actions, you may be able to hold them liable for damages. For example, if a host failed to maintain a table-top fire pit or set it up haphazardly and you were injured, you may be able to hold them responsible.
- Premises liability claims. You may want to consider a premises liability claim if your injuries occurred because a property manager or owner failed to maintain safe conditions or warn you about the possible dangers of a table-top fire pit. For example, if a property owner placed the fire pit in a dangerous place, causing it to fall and explode, a premises liability claim may be appropriate.
- Wrongful death claims. In the most tragic cases, table-top fire pit accidents result in someone’s death. If you lost your loved one in one of these events, you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable through a wrongful death claim.
Remember that California's statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits is generally two years. Failure to file within this time frame can render you ineligible to pursue compensation. It’s also important to understand that California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that if the injured party is found partly responsible for the accident, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Challenges and Considerations
While pursuing a personal injury lawsuit offers a possible path to compensation, these cases are often complex and challenging—especially if they involve going up against large companies with significant legal resources. To secure the compensation you deserve, you must partner with a top-tier personal injury attorney with experience handling cases like yours.
Case Barnett Law: Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California
Serious burn injuries can take months, even years, to fully recover from and can end up costing the injury victim a fortune in medical expenses and treatment costs. Depending on the accident's severity, an injury victim may need to take time off work or be unable to return altogether. They may sustain burn scars, mental health issues, or even permanent disability—a high price to pay for someone who didn’t cause the accident.
If you were injured in a table-top fire pit accident caused by someone else, you shouldn’t be footing the bill for your recovery. And you don’t have to when you partner with a dedicated attorney from Case Barnett Law. Our law firm has experience trying and winning settlements in fire pit accident cases, and we’re dedicated to finding justice for our clients.
When you’re ready to pursue compensation for your losses and hold the at-fault party responsible, we’re here to help. Contact us online to get started.
