Arizona Therapist Dies in Hyperbaric Chamber Fire: A Tragic Reminder of Hidden Risks in Medical Technology

A tragic incident in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, has reignited concerns over the safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chambers. On July 9, Walter Foxcroft, a 43-year-old physical therapist and co-founder of Havasu Health and Hyperbarics, was killed in a flash fire while inside a hyperbaric chamber at his own facility.

First responders with the Lake Havasu City Fire Department and Police Department arrived on scene just before 11 p.m. after a report of a burn-related emergency. Foxcroft was pronounced dead on site.

This marks the second fatal hyperbaric chamber incident in the U.S. this year. In January 2025, a 5-year-old boy in Michigan died under eerily similar circumstances when a chamber caught fire during treatment.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves a patient breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Under these conditions, the body is able to absorb more oxygen, which is intended to promote healing for conditions like:

• Decompression sickness (common in divers)
• Chronic non-healing wounds
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Severe burns or tissue damage
• Certain infections

While HBOT has been praised for its potential benefits, this tragedy underscores the inherent risks involved when fire safety protocols and equipment malfunctions come into play.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, experts and agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have long warned of the fire hazards associated with hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

Foxcroft was a respected healthcare provider and beloved community member. He co-founded Havasu Health and Hyperbarics in 2024, and had a doctorate in physical therapy from Touro University Nevada. He also graduated from the University of Arizona, where he served as the university’s mascot—a role symbolic of his outgoing nature and dedication to the community.

His sudden passing has sent shockwaves through Lake Havasu and the broader medical community, especially among proponents of alternative and adjunctive therapies like HBOT.

Could This Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim?

Absolutely. When tragedies like this occur, the legal implications depend on the circumstances surrounding the incident:

A wrongful death claim could potentially be pursued if:

• The hyperbaric chamber was defective in design or construction.
• Manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings or safety instructions.
• Maintenance or operational procedures were neglected.
• The chamber was misused due to lack of training or oversight.

If negligence on the part of the equipment manufacturer, facility management, or staff played a role in the fire, Foxcroft’s surviving family may have grounds for a wrongful death and product liability lawsuit.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to a fire or injury related to a medical device such as a hyperbaric chamber, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Funeral expenses
• Lost income or future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages (in extreme cases of negligence)

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we are deeply saddened by incidents like this one. Medical devices are meant to heal, not harm. If they pose risks, those risks must be properly managed, disclosed, and mitigated.

Our firm is committed to uncovering the truth behind tragedies like this and holding negligent parties accountable. If you suspect that a defective medical device or failure to follow safety protocols contributed to a loved one’s death, we are here to help.