Napa Home and Garden Faces Lawsuits in South Carolina

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Jun 21, 2011, 05:06 ET

Motley Rice representing plaintiffs alleging burn injuries caused by decorative firepot's gel fuel

MT. PLEASANT, S.C., June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Motley Rice has filed two personal injury and products liability lawsuits, one in the Court of Common Pleas for the Ninth Circuit and the other in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina against Napa Home and Garden, Inc., and multiple other defendants on behalf of injured parties relating from two separate incidents in South Carolina. The lawsuits allege the plaintiffs suffered severe burn injuries caused by Napa FireLites™ firepots and pourable eco-gel citronella fuel.

Rachael Smilowitz v. Napa Home & Garden Inc. et al., No. 11-CP-4202 (Ct. of Common Pleas, Ninth Jud. Cir.) was filed by two Charleston-area residents who, on May 21, 2011, were enjoying an evening on their back porch when a firepot suddenly exploded and shot a directional flame, catching one on fire and injuring another as he tried to extinguish the flames. One of the plaintiffs suffered second and third degree burns to her lower body.

"Thousands of these gel fuel products are on the market and in the hands of American and Canadian consumers who have no idea that they are decorating their patios and porches with something so potentially dangerous," said Motley Rice catastrophic injury lawyer Anne McGinness Kearse. "Our clients have suffered excruciating pain and devastating injuries, and our hope is that this litigation will not only hold the responsible parties accountable but also help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future."

Satterfield et al. v. Napa Home & Garden Inc., et al., No. 7:11-cv-01514-JMC (D.S.C.) was filed by two Florida residents who, on May 25, 2011, were visiting relatives in Spartanburg, S.C., and experienced a similar situation. The plaintiffs were enjoying an evening on the back patio when a "torch-like" flame engulfed one individual. She remains in the intensive care unit of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 30% of her body. Her husband suffered serious burns after attempting to extinguish the fire.

Both complaints allege serious injuries due to negligent design, manufacturing and testing, as well as failure to warn on the part of Napa Home and Garden, Inc.; Fuel Barons, Inc.; and Losorea Packaging, Inc.

Napa Firepots, also commonly called FireLites™ and fireburners, are outdoor glass or clay pots with gel fuel containers that can be scented with citronella, making them a popular addition to the outdoor areas of homes. Although marketed as "people safe" and "the cleanest and safest fuel you can buy," the Napa Home and Garden gel is comprised of more than 90 percent ethyl alcohol, a volatile and highly flammable liquid with a vapor density less than that of propane. Other manufacturers of these products include Birdbrain, Inc.

The Consumer Product and Safety Commission has issued a warning to consumers about the dangers of these products.

About Motley Rice LLC
Motley Rice is one of the nation's largest plaintiffs' litigation firms. Motley Rice attorneys have experience taking on complex civil cases against large corporate wrongdoers, including pioneering asbestos lawsuits and tobacco litigation and their lawsuit against terrorist financiers on behalf of 9/11 families. With more than 65 attorneys and hundreds of staff, the firm continues to handle cases in the areas of defective products, environmental contamination, aviation disasters, securities and consumer fraud, shareholder rights, mesothelioma and other occupational diseases, human rights, prescription drugs and medical device defects. Motley Rice LLC is headquartered in the Charleston, S.C., area and has additional offices in California; Connecticut; New York; Rhode Island; Washington, D.C.; and West Virginia. Motley Rice LLP operates the California office. For more information about Motley Rice or the firepot lawsuits, contact attorneys Anne McGinness Kearse (SC), Kevin Dean (GA, SC) or T. David Hoyle (FL, SC) at 1.877.999.1658. Connect with us on Twitter.