Everclear High-Proof Alcohol Poses Extreme Risk, Alleges Burn Victim’s Lawsuit

In May 2025, Massachusetts college student Yvette Yuri Lanuza Digan was at a fraternity gathering when another person poured Everclear grain alcohol onto an open fire in the backyard of the house. An enormous fireball instantly erupted, enveloping Digan who was nearby. The fireball ignited her clothing and caused severe, life-altering burn injuries to her body. To date, she has incurred medical expenses of approximately $600,000.

Digan contends that Everclear, which is manufactured and distributed by Missouri-based Luxco, Inc., is an “inherently dangerous product” that “for decades has left a trail of destruction” due to its “odorless, colorless, and extremely potent nature.”

What’s more, Digan alleges in her lawsuit against Luxco, the company has made the product “even more dangerous” by removing explicit safety warnings on its label.

Everclear contains 95% ethanol (190-proof), making it one of the most potent distilled alcoholic beverages. The complaint cites a standard safety data sheet on 95% ethanol that suggests such products present “exceptional and unique fire hazards” and can be dangerous near any ignition source.

Digan maintains that Luxco’s marketing has promoted dangerous uses of Everclear for culinary and household uses where open flames from gas stoves, ovens, and candles are common. while simultaneously removing safety warnings alerting consumers to these dangers.

Prior to 2018, according to the complaint, all Everclear bottles featured a prominent warning in a large red rectangle on the front label explicitly cautioning users to not apply it to open flame and to keep it away from fire, heat and open flame or the contents may ignite or explode. But the bottles no longer have such a caution, according to the suit.

According to its own website: “Everclear is a nationally-distributed spirit and staple for any bar or kitchen. Odorless, flavorless and colorless, it is the premier high-proof grain alcohol for your liquid creations. From liqueurs to bitters – and everything in-between – Everclear grants you the versatility to capture complex flavors using the simplest recipes.”

The complaint filed in federal court for Massachusetts asserts various negligence claims including design defect, negligent marketing, and failure to warn, as well as breach of warranty and violations of safety laws and industry standards.

The suit seeks both preliminary and permanent injunctive relief requiring Luxco to immediately cease distribution and sale of Everclear 190-proof grain alcohol in Massachusetts; and to recall all Everclear 190-proof grain alcohol in the state.

Luxco has not yet answered the complaint and a request sent to Luxco for comment was not answered by press time.

The lawsuit claims that Digan’s incident is not the first case where people have been seriously burned while Everclear was being used around an open flame. It cites cases in 2024 when a cocktail made with Everclear allegedly exploded and another incident in 2014 when a vase containing Everclear broke next to a candle, igniting and causing serious injuries to a bartender.

Prior to the incident, Digan was participating in a summer exchange program at Boston University. In addition to studying for a law degree, she was a singer and musician.

Topics Lawsuits