A 22-year-old Hong Kong exchange student at Boston University is suing the maker of the highly-concentrated spirit Everclear for removing safety warning labels, causing her to suffer severe burns from an explosion at a fraternity party in May.
US media reported that Yvette Digan, a Filipino law student from City University of Hong Kong on an exchange program, is being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital for second and third-degree burns covering over 30 percent of her body.
The incident occurred on May 13, when Digan was attending a social gathering at the Zeta Psi fraternity house in Worcester Polytechnic Institute. During the gathering, Everclear, a spirit with 95 percent of ethanol, ignited a fire and severely burnt her.
“It hurts to move my neck…it’s a very specific kind of pain, like needles stabbing you,” Digan told a Boston local newspaper. Digan’s family set up a GoFundMe page to crowdfund money for her medical costs.
Attorney blames manufacturer of removing fire hazard warning
Her attorney, Adam Clermont, has accused Luxco, the maker of the high-proof spirit Everclear, of knowingly removing fire hazard warning labels starting in 2018, despite safety risks, and even marketing the product for use in cooking and as candle fuel.
Before 2018, Everclear bottles featured a prominent warning label stating – “CAUTION: DO NOT APPLY TO OPEN FLAME. KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE, HEAT AND OPEN FLAME – CONTENTS MAY IGNITE OR EXPLODE,” according to Clermont.
The legal representative told The Standard that a lawsuit was filed against Luxco on Sunday (July 13) at the US District Court District of Massachusetts, seeking to stop the distribution and sales of Everclear and recall all the product in the state.
Her initial assessment after the incident showed severe burns affecting her bilateral legs, neck, left hand and breasts, including her nipples, according to the court filing.
In the crowdfunding page, Digan’s family said in a statement that the 22-year-old faces multiple surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy, and counseling to cope with the emotional toll, treatments that come with staggering medical bills.
There was a similar incident last year in Dallas, Texas, in which a couple suffered second- and third-degree burns on their faces, necks, arms and chests when a “Flaming Pineapple” cocktail made with Everclear exploded.
Clermont added that another lawsuit had previously been filed against the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the Zeta Psi Fraternity.
CityU offers support to student
In a response to The Standard, CityU said the incident occurred before the student's exchange program began, as she had arrived in Boston earlier for personal reasons.
"Since the incident happened, the University has been actively supporting the student and her family, offering guidance such as [on insurance claims], and the possibility of postponing her studies."
CityU said it provides briefings to students before they depart for exchange programs, especially highlighting important safety protocols, including avoiding isolated areas and avoiding solo travel, particularly at night.
(Jamie Liu)
