Personal Injury Lawyers for Morristown Burn Victims

Burn Injuries | Burn Injury Lawyers

Have You Suffered a Serious Burn From a Fire Gel Pot?

People purchase fire pots for outdoor patio lighting. But the pourable gel fuels used in the firepots can ignite unexpectedly and cause severe second and third-degree burns or fatal burns when the fuel is poured into an already-lit firepot. The gel fuel used in firepots has been linked to dozens of severe burns and two deaths, prompting a broad recall, according to federal consumer safety advocates.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured while using a fire gel pot, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Manufacturers have a legal duty to make and sell safe products that do not cause injury when used as intended. Our Morristown personal injury lawyers at The Terry Law Firm have been assisting victims of personal injury and defective products in East Tennessee for more than five decades.

Manufacturers Recalling Products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency responsible for protecting the public from the risk of injury or death from unsafe products, announced a recall of all pourable gel fuels made or sold by nine manufacturers and distributors. The pourable gel used in firepots is associated with 65 accidents, including two fire fatalities and 34 victims who were hospitalized with second and third-degree burns to the face, chest, hands, arms, and legs, according to federal product safety regulators.

The pourable gel fuel is typically sold in jugs or bottles. The gel fuels are petroleum-based and are particularly hazardous if aspirated into the lungs. They can cause chemical pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and death. Fires caused by the pourable gel fuels are difficult to extinguish.

The manufacturers recalling pourable gel products are:

  • Bird Brain, Inc., of Ypsilanti, Mich.
  • Bond Manufacturing of Antioch, Calif.
  • Sunjel Company (2 Burn, Inc.) of Milwaukee, Wis.
  • Fuel Barons, Inc., of Lake Tahoe, Nev.
  • Lamplight Farms, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wis.
  • Luminosities, Inc. (Windflame) of St. Paul, Minn.
  • Pacific Décor, Ltd., of Woodinville, Wash.
  • Real Flame, of Racine, Wash.
  • Smart Solar, Inc., of Oldsmar, Fla.

Fighting for Your Financial Security & Peace of Mind

If you have suffered a serious burn injury from pourable fuel gel used in a firepot, contact a team of Morristown personal injury attorneys who have more than 50 years of hands-on experience. We can’t heal your burns, but we can help you obtain compensation to provide financial security and some peace of mind during the lengthy recovery process.

Call us at 423-586-5800 to schedule your free initial consultation.

Personal Injury

What is the Statute of Limitations in Tennessee for Personal Injury Claims?

Tennessee is very unique in that the statute of limitations in Tennessee is much shorter than in other states. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Tennessee is generally one (1) year. There are exceptions to the one (1) year statute of limitations. 

In Tennessee, one exception to the statute of limitations is the discovery rule. The statute of limitations in Tennessee does not start to run until a person knows or should have known about an injury. 

There is currently a provision in the Tennessee Code regarding extending the statute of limitations where persons have criminal charges brought against them and they caused or contributed to an injury. In these cases, it is possible that the statute of limitations may be extended to two (2) years. At this stage, there has been no ruling from the Tennessee Supreme Court on exactly how this statute should be interpreted; therefore, we recommend filing cases within one (1) year.

The statute of limitations in property damage cases in Tennessee is three (3) years and the statute of limitations for a breach of contract in Tennessee is six (6) years. It is important to note that breach of implied warranty of merchantability, which are theories that are often used in product liability cases, carries a six (6) statute of limitations.

What is a Contingency Fee?

At The Terry Law Firm, clients are welcome to come to our Morristown office, our Sevierville office, or our Greeneville office for a free consultation. This is true for virtually any type of case. 

In personal injury cases, in particular, The Terry Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis which means that The Terry Law Firm does not receive any compensation, nor are you required to pay anything, unless we are successful on your behalf. 

Our general fee in personal injury cases (like most firms) is one-third (1/3). The Terry Law Firm advances all costs and expenses in the case until the matter is resolved. If we are not successful for a client in a personal injury case, then they are not required to pay anything. 

Can The Terry Law Firm Help If I Was in an Accident in Another State?

The Terry Law Firm regularly handles cases for clients who have been involved in out-of-state accidents. We have handled cases as far west as West Texas and South Dakota. We have had cases in eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. It is a regular part of The Terry Law Firm’s business to handle cases outside of Tennessee.

Handling a case outside of Tennessee does not cost the client any more than it would if we were handling a case in Tennessee. In fact, the client will likely notice very little difference in a case handled outside of the state versus one handled in the State of Tennessee.