Cookouts are a staple of Ohio summers, but behind the burgers and hot dogs is a real risk many don’t think about: grill fires and explosions.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas grills alone cause an average of 8,900 home fires every year. And between 2017 and 2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 11,421 grill-related fires annually, resulting in over 100 injuries and $172 million in property damage.
Many of these accidents involve preventable causes like leaking propane lines, defective parts, or improper setup. This raises an important question: when a grill explosion leads to serious injury, who’s legally responsible?
What Causes Grill Explosions and Fires?
Grills may seem simple, but they combine heat, gas, and pressure, all of which can turn dangerous fast if something goes wrong. Here are the most common reasons these accidents happen.
Gas leaks and faulty propane tanks
The majority of grill explosions are linked to gas leaks. A cracked hose, loose connection, or malfunctioning valve can allow propane to build up, creating a fireball when ignited.
In some cases, the propane tank itself may be defective, either due to poor manufacturing or lack of proper maintenance.
Improper use or storage
Placing a grill too close to a wall or overhang, using it indoors, or storing a propane tank incorrectly can all increase the risk of fire. Even simple mistakes (like turning the gas on with the lid closed) can lead to sudden flare-ups or explosions.
Defective grill components
Some grill fires stem from design flaws or malfunctioning parts, like ignition switches that spark too early or regulators that fail to control gas flow. If the product wasn’t safe to begin with, the manufacturer or retailer could be held accountable.
Who Could Be Legally Responsible?
Whether it’s a surface-level thermal burn, smoke inhalation, or a more serious injury from the blast itself, the physical pain after a grill explosion can be intense. But that’s just one part of it — there’s also the fear of long-term scarring, anger that it happened at all, and the stress of ER visits, prescriptions, lost work, and follow-up appointments.
Figuring out who’s at fault isn’t always easy, but it’s a must if there’s any hope of recovering compensation to cover these costs. Here are some common parties a burn injury attorney may investigate when determining liability.
The manufacturer or distributor
If the grill or propane tank had a design defect, faulty part, or lacked proper safety warnings, the manufacturer may be liable under Ohio product liability laws. This includes both domestic and imported products, as well as accessories like hoses or ignition switches.
Retailers or resellers
A store or online seller might also be responsible if they sold a recalled or obviously defective product. Sometimes, even reselling a used or damaged grill without proper checks could open the door to liability.
Property owners or event hosts
If the accident happened at someone else’s home or a public event, the property owner may be liable under Ohio’s premises liability laws, especially if they knew the grill was broken, improperly installed, or used unsafely.
That said, pursuing a claim doesn’t necessarily mean going after a friend or family member directly. In most cases, their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers the damages, not their personal finances. A claim simply helps ensure that medical costs and recovery aren’t coming out of your own pocket.
Third-party service providers
If a propane delivery company or grill technician recently serviced or installed the equipment and failed to follow safety protocols, their negligence could be a contributing factor.
What to Do After a Grill Explosion or Burn Injury
Seek medical attention immediately
Grill explosions often cause flash burns, which are intense bursts of heat that can sear skin in seconds. Even if the area doesn’t look blistered right away, damage can go deeper than it appears.
Even if you seem okay now, try to follow up with a burn specialist. They’ll check for signs of infection, evaluate whether grafts are needed, and help prevent long-term damage like contractures or scarring.
This care also creates a paper trail that a burn injury attorney will need if a product defect or someone else’s negligence is involved.
Preserve the scene, if possible
If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the grill, propane tank, burn patterns, and the surrounding area. Try not to move or throw away any parts. If the explosion involved a product defect or service issue, having the original equipment intact is critical for any investigation.
If it’s borrowed or rented, let the owner know, but ask them not to alter or dispose of anything until it can be properly examined by a burn injury attorney.
Talk to an Ohio burn injury attorney
Burn injuries are among the most painful and expensive injuries to treat. A burn injury law firm can help you:
- Investigate the root cause: Burn injury attorneys often work with fire investigators, product engineers, and safety experts to determine exactly what went wrong. That kind of analysis can reveal whether a hidden defect or overlooked risk played a role.
- Building a claim against the right party: Liability isn’t always obvious. A good burn injury attorney can pinpoint whether it’s the manufacturer, property owner, or service technician and make sure the claim is filed against the correct parties under Ohio law.
- Fighting for full compensation: Burn injury claims often involve more than just medical bills. There’s also pain and suffering, lost wages, long-term therapy, and psychological trauma. An experienced burn injury law firm can fight for the full scope of compensation, not just a quick payout from an insurance company.
At Slater & Zurz, we know that grill explosions may start with a single spark, but the consequences can linger for years. As you focus on healing and recovery, we’ll help make sense of what happened, identify who’s responsible, and work toward meaningful compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation today at 330-762-0700. And for more on grilling safety, check out this tip sheet and guidance from Ohio’s State Fire Marshal.
Written by Robert Horton
Rob, a partner at Slater & Zurz, brings over a decade of experience advocating for the injured. His exceptional negotiation skills have consistently secured favorable outcomes for clients in motor vehicle accidents, dog bite incidents, and slip-and-fall cases.
