When A Water Bottle Becomes A Hazard: Legal Fallout From The Ozark Trail Recall

In July 2025, Walmart issued a recall of nearly one million Ozark Trail 64-ounce stainless steel insulated water bottles after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that their screw-cap lids could forcefully eject, causing serious injuries.

Understanding the defect 

It isn’t often that you hear about water bottles causing injuries. These bottles have a pressure problem. Pressure can build up when perishable liquids (like juice or milk) or carbonated beverages are stored inside the bottle. Gases can accumulate. Upon opening, the screw lid can eject with significant force.

Reported injuries 

Reports indicate that two people suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye by an ejecting lid. A third individual was injured in the face when the lid forcibly ejected and struck them. The injuries were quite serious, and in at least two cases, the injuries are permanent.

Strict liability and product defect

These bottles could be subject to product liability claims under a strict liability theory: consumers who used the bottle in an ordinary way were injured due to a dangerous defect. It may not matter whether the user misused the bottle if the risk is inherent in its design. Possible legal claims include:

• Design defect – Was the bottle designed in such a way that the lid mechanism allows dangerous pressure buildup without fail-safe venting or warning?
• Failure to warn – Were consumers adequately warned about the risk of storing perishable/carbonated beverages? Did packaging or instructions clearly state when the lid might eject?
• Manufacturing defect – Less likely if the problem is universal across all units.

Foreseeability and foreknowledge 

If the injured parties take their complaint before the courts, the key argument they will make is that Walmart was aware of the bottle’s potential dangers. If that proves true, this strengthens their claim.

Key to liability will be what Walmart and the bottle’s importer (Olympia Tools International, Inc.) knew, and when. If they were aware of past incidents or internal tests showing pressure buildup risk, that strengthens claims.

Damages and injuries 

Two consumers reported irreversible vision loss as a result of the bottle forcibly ejecting in their faces. The consumers could take their claims before the court. If successful, the plaintiff could recover:

• Immediate and future medical costs
• Lost wages, especially if vision loss impacts their employment
• Possible punitive damages if the company failed to report a known danger

What consumers should do 

Consumers are advised to stop using the water bottle immediately and return it to any Walmart store or contact Walmart for a full refund. If you are injured, preserve the bottle, lid, packaging, photos, and medical records. Then, you should consult with a Florida product liability lawyer to take your case to court.

Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today 

Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of plaintiffs in product liability suits filed against negligent companies. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help.