Colsen Fire Pits class action alleges products can cause burn injuries

Colsen Fire Pits class action overview:

• Who: A fire pit customer is suing Colson Fire Pits.
• Why: The plaintiff claims the company sold dangerously defective fire pits.
• Where: The Colsen Fire Pit class action lawsuit was filed in a North Carolina federal court.

Colsen Fire Pits put consumers in danger through its defective products that have caused fires and subsequent burn injuries requiring hospital stays and surgeries, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff Shaneka Barnhart filed the class action complaint against Colsen Fire Pits LLC on Oct. 28 in North Carolina federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, the company marketed and sold hazardous tabletop fire pits that pose serious burn risks to consumers. 

The lawsuit comes less than two weeks after Colsen recalled more than 89,000 fire pits on Oct. 17. The recall was issued after consumers filed dozens of reports of flames escaping, causing serious burns and even leading to surgeries and permanent disfigurement for some consumers. 

The company said at the time it had received 31 reports of flame jetting and flames escaping from the concrete container, resulting in 19 burn injuries. 

Barnhart, who says she purchased a Colsen fire pit from Walmart just before the recall, argues that Colsen misled consumers by failing to disclose the product’s burn risks. 

“No reasonable consumer would expect a tabletop fire pit to be so dangerous,” the complaint says, adding that Colsen’s lack of warning deprived consumers of the ability to make informed purchasing decisions.

The recalled fire pits, which range in size from 5 to 18 inches, were sold through major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair, from January 2020 to July 2024. 

The lawsuit seeks to hold Colsen accountable for alleged deceptive marketing and seeks compensation for affected consumers.

Barnhart is looking to represent anyone who bought the recalled fire pit. She’s suing for breach of warranty and unjust enrichment and seeks certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

What do you think of the allegations in this Colsen fire pit class action? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Tiffany Lawson of Poulin Willey Anastopoulo LLC.

The Colsen Fire Pits class action is Shaneka Barnhart v. Colsen Fire Pits LLC Case No. 3:24-cv-00945 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

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