Woman Suffers Burn Injuries after Scented Candle Explodes

A North Texas woman suffered excruciating burn injuries after a Bath & Body Works three-wick candle exploded in her face as she tried to blow it out. According to an NBC 5 news report, Ashley Brawley was hospitalized after the incident and is now wondering whether the candle was defective. She said she walked into the living room when she smelled something burning and saw the candle in flames. She said she blew on it about three or four times and that’s when it all blew up in her face.

Severe Burn Injuries

Brawley was hospitalized with first- and second-degree burn injuries to her forehead, cheek, nose and lip. She says she hopes others will learn from her painful experience. According to saferproducts.gov, there have been several complaints about the three-wick candle that was involved in this incident where users said the flame in their candles grew much higher than normal.

Bath & Body Works has responded by saying that they test their candles under “rigorous burn conditions” and meet all applicable industry and governmental standards. They also say the candle was not currently on a recall list. Bath & Body also responded to Brawley’s allegations saying they are “sorry” about the incident and are looking into the incident.

Dangerous and Defective Products

As product defect attorneys, we hope there will be an in-depth investigation into the safety of these three-wick candles. Obviously, it’s posing a serious hazard to consumers. Burn injuries can be not only painful, but could result in severe and permanent scarring and disfigurement. Severe burn injuries may also require costly skin graft surgeries and other cosmetic procedures.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous or defective product, you may be able to file a product defect claim against the manufacturer. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. In such cases, victims must prove that the product was defective, that they were injured while using them as intended and that the defective product directly caused injuries and damages.

Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced product defect attorney who will fight for their rights and hold the at-fault manufacturers liable for the injuries, damages and losses their products cause. The best product defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.