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Life-threatening liver failure may develop quickly after a sea anemone sting. A 28-year-old white male diver was stung on the left shoulder blade while diving at a depth of six to 10 meters in the Virgin Islands. He developed severe back and arm pain and a blister-like rash within 10 to 15 minutes of being stung. He was taken to a hospital and treated with intravenous fluids and painkillers for 24 hours and then discharged. One day later he was readmitted because of progressive weakness and lethargy. He developed jaundice and his liver enzyme levels were elevated, indicating liver failure. His condition continued to deteriorate and he was transferred to another hospital after insertion of a breathing tube. His blood tests were abnormal. Tests for HIV and hepatitis A, B and C were negative. Kidney failure developed. After a liver and kidney transplant the patient died. Massive tissue death was noted on biopsy of the patient's liver. Blood tests were positive for exposure to a member of the species known as Condylactis.