$400K settlement; Churchgoer seriously burned during cookout

Action: Negligence

Injuries alleged: Second-degree burns to the face, hands, legs and abdomen, and PTSD

Case name: Withheld

Amount: $400,000

Date: March 3, 2026

Attorney: Santiago Arroba of Osborn Injury Lawyers in Raleigh (for the plaintiff)

Plaintiff was a church member and volunteer who was assisting with a propane grill during a cookout hosted and sponsored by the church. The grill was owned and maintained by the church. During the cookout, the grill exploded, injuring plaintiff. An aerosol can of white spray paint had been erroneously placed/stored in the grease tray for the grill (located under the burners), which overheated during the cookout and exploded.

Plaintiff’s burns and scarring healed significantly following the incident, but he continued to suffer mostly from PTSD. He had medical expenses of approximately $90,000 and future anticipated medical expenses of $200,000.

The grill manufacturer required that operators of the grill inspect the grease tray prior to each grilling session, which the defendant church failed to do. The defendant did not require its volunteers to review the operating manual or clean/inspect the grease tray prior to use. Defendants contended contributory negligence and that plaintiff, who was also operating the grill, had an equal duty to inspect the grill prior to its use.