A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that certain Stanley thermoses contain a design defect that can cause their handles to suddenly fail, potentially spilling hot liquids and causing serious burns.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Seattle federal court, targets Stanley parent companies Pacific Market International, PMI WW Brands, and The HAVI Group over alleged defects in several classic thermos products.
According to the complaint, the affected products include Stanley’s Classic Legendary Bottle, Classic Legendary Thermos, Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle, and Insulated Water Bottle models featuring clip-style handles.
Plaintiffs allege the products contain a “latent defect” that causes the handle clips to gradually widen and detach during normal use. The lawsuit claims the failure can occur “suddenly and without warning during use.”
“As consumers frequently use the products to transport hot beverages such as coffee, tea, soup, or other heated liquids, the sudden detachment can cause scalding hot liquid to spill onto the user, resulting in severe burns,” the complaint states.
The plaintiffs claim the issue stems from the design of the metal handle clips, which they allege are constructed with 3-millimeter wire and a 3.3-millimeter gap that allows the clips to weaken over time.
The lawsuit cites the case of a Texas man who allegedly suffered severe burns in 2024 when the handle of his Stanley thermos detached while it was filled with boiling water.
The complaint alleges the incident resulted in emergency medical treatment and a separate lawsuit against the company.
The plaintiffs further allege Stanley knew or should have known about the alleged defect but continued to market the products as durable and safe.
Stanley has long marketed its products with the slogan “Built for Life” and states on its website that its bottles are designed for “rugged durability” and are “made to go anywhere,” according to the complaint.
“The Classic Legendary Bottle has kept coffee hot since 1913, and it’s still going strong,” Stanley states on its website, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint alleges that consumers who submitted warranty claims were sometimes denied coverage or received replacement products containing the same alleged defect.
The proposed class action seeks damages and other relief on behalf of consumers nationwide who purchased the affected products. Plaintiffs allege the case exceeds $5 million in controversy and could involve more than 100 class members.
