Can You File a Defective Product Lawsuit for an Exploding Mainstays Candle? 

As we head into autumn, people will be stocking up on their candle collections for the colder months. Burning candles always carries with it a certain level of risk, which is why it’s important to always supervise candle burning.

But consumers are reporting that one popular candle—the Walmart Mainstays candles line—carries with it an additional, surprising risk: it explodes.

What’s Wrong with Mainstays Candles?

According to customers, the Mainstays candles which are manufactured exclusively for Walmart and Walmart subsidiaries, are dangerous, and capable of causing high flames and explosions that could potentially spark a house fire or result in injuries from hot wax and flames.

While there are certain safety precautions that should be taken when burning candles (such as consistent supervision, keeping them away from drafts or fans, and not burning for more than four hours to prevent the wick from “mushrooming” and creating too large a flame), consumers claim that these candles are defective, and can malfunction within just a couple of hours of use.

Mainstays Candle Defective Product Lawsuit

One customer has filed a defective product lawsuit against retail giant Walmart, alleging that her newly-purchased Walmart Mainstays-branded candle became engulfed in flame and then exploded, causing her to suffer from second-degree burns and require emergency medical attention.

The plaintiff, Shelby E., purchased a Mainstays candle from a Walmart location in Missouri on Feb. 1, 2018. A few days later, on Feb. 12, 2018, Shelby burned the candle for the first time, setting it on her bathroom counter by the sink.

After burning the candle for an hour or less, the candle was engulfed in flame—not just the wick, but the surface area of the candle wax as well, Shelby claims. The candle’s flames were high and hot, and blackened the ceiling very quickly. In order to prevent a house fire, Shelby pushed the candle into the bathroom sink—and then it exploded, causing flaming candle wax to splatter over the bathroom and onto Shelby.

The flaming wax caused second-degree burns on Shelby’s thigh, requiring emergency medical treatment. The burn later became infected and required additional treatment, and has led to permanent scarring and loss of sensation in the scar tissue.

“Walmart has failed to disclose the existence of this defect to Plaintiff and other customers and purchasers, has failed to recall the defective candles, and has failed to reimburse plaintiff and other purchasers for the cost of purchasing the defective candles and/or the injuries and damages they suffered as a result of Walmart’s conduct,” alleges the lawsuit.

According to Shelby’s lawsuit, Walmart knew by at least March 2016, after a consumer posted on Facebook, of reports of similar incidents regarding Mainstays candles, yet the company failed to pull the product or warn about these risks.

The defective product lawsuit was filed on March 24, 2020, in the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri.

What Are Grounds for a Defective Product Lawsuit?

Filing a defective product lawsuit requires a few key components. A product may have been defectively designed, with design flaws that make them dangerous. Common defects include space heaters that can catch fire, tires with poor traction, or cell phone batteries that explode. These problems, because they are part of the design, will generally affect an entire line of products.

There may also be manufacturing defects, where the design is fine but the manufacturing process is flawed, leading to a defect. These include things like products with missing parts or broken parts, or even contaminants introduced in the manufacturing process that can be dangerous.

On top of these issues, companies that fail to provide adequate instructions or warnings for potential side effects or other issues may be held liable in a defective product lawsuit.

How Can You Find a Defective Product Lawyer?

A growing number of consumers are turning to litigation after experiencing product defects.

If you purchased a Walmart Mainstays candle, you may be able to file a defective product lawsuit, or start or join a class action lawsuit, and seek compensation. Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially when going up against a retail giant like Walmart, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney.

Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

The Defective Product Lawsuit is Case No. 2016-CV09850, in the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, at Independence.

Free Walmart Mainstays Candle Claim Evaluation

If you purchased a Mainstays candle, you may be eligible to join a FREE Walmart Mainstays candle class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.