Modern pressure cookers and multi-cookers make cooking faster, easier, and more convenient than ever. However, as our pressure cooker injury lawyers have seen, they also pose the risk of serious or fatal injury, even when used as directed. In some cases, this is due to product defects—in design, manufacturing, or instructions—that can make pressure cookers inherently dangerous.
When defects are known (and enough people are harmed), a product recall might be issued. Tragically, not every user is informed when a product is recalled. Equally problematic, some appliances may still be found in retail stores and online marketplaces long after they have been recalled, allowing the risk of harm to continue despite known defects. When you are injured by a defective pressure cooker, it does not matter if the model was under recall or not. It is always a good idea to talk to a product liability lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options and rights.
Is Your Pressure Cooker Safe?
Several pressure cooker and multi-cooker models have been subjected to safety investigations, recalls, and lawsuits. Among the brands flagged by both consumers and regulators for potential defects are:
- Crock-Pot/Sunbeam
- Instant Pot
- SharkNinja
- Bella
- GoWise USA
- Farberware
- Cuisinart
This list is not exhaustive. If you own a pressure cooker, it is vital to your health and safety to confirm whether your specific model has been recalled. A quick visit to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall page can tell you if your appliance poses a potential safety hazard. If you discover that your unit is part of a recall, discontinue use immediately.
Talk to a Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyer for FREE
Have you been injured by a defective multi-cooker, pressure cooker, or similar device? The pressure cooker injury lawyers at Burg Simpson are here to help. Call us at 888-895-2080 to schedule your no-obligation, cost-free consultation today.
How Dangerous Are Pressure Cookers?
Multi-cookers and pressure cookers are safely used by thousands of people every day, but their function—which primarily involves swiftly cooking foods at high temperatures—can pose some risks. These risks are made much worse when design defects or product malfunctions allow for issues such as:
- Steam and Liquid Explosions. The sudden release of built-up steam and hot liquids can allow scalding foods, grease, water, and liquids to be propelled at high velocities.
- Lid-Lock Failure. An explosive release of hot food and steam can occur when a user unknowingly opens the lid of a cooker that was able to pressurize without the lid securely locked.
- Mechanical or Sensor Failures. Even a minor malfunction in sensors can lead to an over-pressurized environment and subsequent explosion.
Misleading and inadequate warnings place users at risk as well. Incorrect or confusing instructions allow for easy mistakes that can lead to catastrophic injury.
Common Pressure Cooker Injuries
When a pressure cooker or multi-cooker malfunctions, it can result in life-altering injuries including:
- Severe burns
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Psychological and emotional trauma
Burns from a pressure cooker accident often require skin grafts. These are not only extremely painful, but they can leave patients with permanent scarring, disfigurement, and lifelong physical pain and limitations. Even without skin grafts, recovering from pressure cooker injuries may require extensive medical intervention, counseling, psychological support, and a lifetime of ongoing care—all of which can result in substantial long-term costs.
When you are injured by a defective product, you should not be forced to deal with the financial consequences. Taking your case to an experienced pressure cooker injury lawyer allows you to focus on recovering while your attorney fights to secure compensation.
What to Do If You Are Injured by a Pressure Cooker
When you are injured by a pressure cooker you should:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Burns can rapidly worsen without proper care.
- Preserve the Evidence. If safe to do so, keep the pressure cooker and all its parts in their post-incident condition.
- Take Pictures. Photograph the accident scene and your injuries.
- Document Everything. Keep a file of your medical records, receipts, and anything else related to your accident.
- Report the Defect. File a report with the CPSC if warranted.
- Contact a Product Liability Lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and help you seek fair compensation.
Insurance companies often try to settle claims for a fraction of what they are worth. Before you accept an offer from insurance, talk to a pressure cooker injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and all other losses—financial and otherwise—related to your injury.
Compensation for Pressure Cooker Injuries
Typically, two types of compensation can be sought following a pressure cooker injury:
- Economic: Medical expenses, lost wages, home modifications, and similarly fixed or establishable costs.
- Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and similarly non-tangible concerns.
In some cases—and some states—you can also seek punitive damages following a serious or fatal injury.
When calculating the worth of your claim, all of your damages must be considered. These include established costs, like doctor visits, rehabilitation, and medication, but also how you have personally suffered and been forced to alter your life.
At Burg Simpson, our pressure cooker injury lawyers take the time needed to fully assess how these injuries have and may continue to create financial, physical, and emotional challenges. We build cases that accurately reflect the extent of damages and fight tooth and nail to secure every penny our clients are due.
Burg Simpson Secures a Landmark Victory in Multi-Cooker Liability Claim
Our firm secured a record-setting $55.5 million verdict on behalf of a client who suffered second and third-degree burns over 13% of her body when a pressure cooker she was using to cook beans exploded. The cooker, manufactured by Sunbeam Products, Inc. and Newell Brands, Inc., was found to be defective by design.
Our experienced pressure cooker injury lawyers were able to show that, despite knowledge of the dangerous defects for at least two and a half years prior, the defendants—Newell and Sunbeam—failed to warn consumers of the risks. The jury found this reckless disregard for consumer safety so outrageous that they awarded the victim $50 million in punitive damages.
While the facts of this case show gross negligence on the part of the manufacturer, even those models that are not known to cause harm can be dangerous. Our pressure cooker injury lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients get justice. We will investigate your accident, identify its cause, and build a case that seeks the fair and full compensation you are due.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Pressure Cooker Injury Claim?
The time limit to file a product liability claim (statute of limitations) varies depending on where you live. It commonly ranges from two to four years, but some jurisdictions allow for more time. Unfortunately, some allow for less. For example, you have two years to take legal action in Colorado, but four years in Wyoming. Arizona gives you two years as well, while Kentucky allows only one. No matter the amount of time provided, when you are harmed by a defective multi-cooker or pressure cooker, it is a good idea to begin working with a lawyer as quickly as possible.
While the statute of limitations is typically set at a specific amount of time, some exceptions exist. One is the discovery rule, under which the clock starts ticking when the injury is discovered. However, pressure cooker injuries are immediate, so this will likely not apply to your case. Another exception may apply to victims who were under 18 at the time of the injury.
Filing deadlines and product liability time limits are generally inflexible. Your attorney should be ready to start working on your case right away to help ensure no deadlines are missed.
Burg Simpson Is Here to Help
Burg Simpson is one of the nation’s leading personal injury law firms. We have secured over $2 billion in verdicts, settlements, and judgments across a wide range of practice areas, including our most recent record-setting, multi-million dollar product liability verdict.
We are known for our:
- National Reach, Local Commitment. We handle complex, multi-district, and interdisciplinary cases with confidence and determination.
- Proven Trial Success. Insurance companies and powerful corporations recognize our willingness to take cases all the way to trial.
- Deep Resources and Decades of Experience. With a large network of paralegals, investigators, and access to experts, we have the infrastructure to handle even the most challenging cases.
- Compassion and Communication. Our lawyers prioritize open, transparent communication and care deeply about each client we serve.
When you choose Burg Simpson, you are selecting a law firm that places your needs first. Our attorneys know that legal victories are won only through relentless effort. We are here to stand by your side, stand up for your rights, and stand in the way of anyone who would try to cheat you out of the compensation your injuries demand.
We Welcome Attorney Referrals
Do you have a client with a potential pressure cooker product liability claim? Burg Simpson invites you to refer them to our team of award-winning attorneys. We have the resources and resolve to pursue high-stakes cases all the way to trial—if that is what it takes to achieve justice.
Through thorough investigation, expert testimony, and aggressive advocacy, we have successfully obtained both compensatory and punitive damages against corporate defendants. Our nationwide reach and decades of experience position us to tackle even the most formidable of opponents.
We value collaborative relationships with referring attorneys and treat every client referral with the same commitment and tenacity. Reach out today to learn how we can work together to protect your client’s interests and maximize their recovery.
Contact Burg Simpson to Learn More
If you have been injured by a pressure cooker, multi-cooker, or another kitchen gadget, device, or appliance, contact Burg Simpson online or call us at 888-895-2080 to talk to one of our product liability lawyers about your case. We offer a FREE consultation where you can discuss your claim, ask any questions you may have, and learn about your options for seeking compensation.