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August 19th, 2025
In July 2025, Walmart recalled approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64-ounce stainless-steel water bottles after reports that the lids could “forcefully eject” and injure users. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned that these bottles posed a serious hazard — at least three people suffered devastating injuries, including two cases of partial blindness.
However, federal regulators now claim that Walmart was aware of these dangers for seven years before taking action.
Investigations reveal Walmart had evidence of catastrophic injuries long before the recall. For example:
2018, Georgia: A woman was struck in the eye when hot soup caused the bottle’s lid to blast off.
2018, Washington State: A man’s left eye was ruptured after a cap exploded while opening a bottle filled with hard apple cider.
2018, Massachusetts: A woman suffered severe facial and jaw injuries when a bottle filled with juice burst.
Walmart quietly settled lawsuits tied to these incidents but did not issue public warnings or recalls at the time.
By 2020, Walmart began placing warning labels on Ozark Trail bottles, advising customers to use them only for water. Labels cautioned that storing carbonated or perishable liquids could cause pressure to build up and eject the lid like a projectile.
This reduced injuries for a while, but by early 2024, another customer was harmed, which finally prompted the CPSC to formally request a recall.
Safety experts say Walmart’s seven-year delay underscores how corporations may weigh recall costs against liability risks. The CPSC cannot force recalls without a company’s cooperation, leaving dangerous products in homes for years.
The recalled bottles (model #83-662) were sold at Walmart stores nationwide since 2017 for about $15. Consumers are urged to stop using them immediately and return them for a refund.
For families of those injured, Walmart’s delayed response highlights the importance of product liability law. When preventable design flaws cause life-altering injuries, companies must be held accountable.
At Bordas & Bordas, we help clients across West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania pursue justice when defective products cause harm. If you or a loved one has been injured by a recalled item or other unsafe product, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options.
