Braintree Woman Sues Walmart After Travel Mug She Bought Explodes

BRAINTREE, MA — A Braintree woman filed a lawsuit against Walmart after saying she suffered serious injuries when the top of a travel mug she bought exploded in her face.

Attorneys Eric Parker and Susan Bourque filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Boston on behalf of plaintiff Emily Hoard. In the complaint, Hoard claimed losses related to personal injuries because of a breach of warranty and negligence from Walmart.

Patch has reached out to Walmart for comment and will update this story if we hear back.

According to the complaint, Hoard bought a 24-ounce "Ozark Trail" travel mug, which is made of stainless steel and is vacuum insulated. On Oct. 1, 2018, Hoard filled the mug with "Mucho Mango," an Arizona-brand juice. By the end of the day, the travel mug was about one-quarter full, and she left it in her backpack, the complaint read.

Ten days later, Hoard found the travel mug in her backpack and unsuccessfully tried unscrewing the cap.

"As the plaintiff continued her effort to remove the subject bottle-top, the top suddenly and without warning ejected with enormous force from the subject bottle, striking plaintiff below her chin and lower jaw with extreme velocity, causing massive damage to the plaintiff's jaw and face," the complaint read.

The complaint said Hoard began "bleeding profusely" from her chin, lower jaw and mouth. She was taken to Boston Medical Center for treatment.

"Walmart knew or reasonably should have known that other users of similarly designed Ozark Trail vacuum insulated stainless steel bottle had been injured as a direct result of the bottle-top exploding due to increased pressure within the bottle," the complaint read.

The travel mug came with warnings not to use bleach to clean it, place it in the microwave or freeze it, as well as information on how long hot beverages can stay inside the mug. It's also still listed for sale on Walmart's website.

The complaint didn't specify an exact amount of money Hoard is seeking. The suit demands "an amount deemed fair and reasonable to compensate the plaintiff for all of her injuries and losses, together with interests and costs."

Walmart has yet to file any court documents, and no court dates have been scheduled.