Injured By a Pressure Cooker? Here’s What to Do

Now more than ever, people are staying home to cook and try new recipes, especially with the advent of grocery and meal subscription delivery services. As a result of this artisanal culinary trend, manufacturers have increased their production of household appliances. Unfortunately, as is the case with most production surges, the quality control suffers, which ultimately means that the consumers suffer as well. 

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Pressure cookers are the chief example of this, as hundreds of claims from all over the U.S. have been filed in recent months over injuries and burns sustained from exploding or searing hot units. Anyone who has been injured by one of these cookers should receive medical attention for any immediate injury concerns before calling the product liability attorneys from Van Law Firm. 

Defective Designs and Manufacturing Errors

Pressure cookers are no different than any other commercial product in that they must be competently designed and assembled in order to function properly. One feature that is ubiquitous across all models is a kind of locking lid that keeps the unit closed when it is under a high amount of pressure. There is also an internal mechanism that regulates the level of heat inside the cooker and releases excess pressure when need be. If one or both of these components fail, the pressure inside the unit will rise to the point where it will explode or shoot out searing hot steam, both of which are extremely dangerous for anyone in its vicinity. Not to mention, your kitchen will most likely get a free demolition job. 

These are not the only two issues that consumers have cited in product liability claims; a more comprehensive list of faults will also include:

• Defective seals, fittings, or valves 
• Faulty safety pins and latches 
• Obstructed steam vents, causing buildup and explosion
• Defective gaskets  
• Insufficient warnings and product information

Injuries From Defective Units 

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These cookers utilize high levels of heat and pressure to cook foods, which results in an excess amount of red-hot steam. Anyone standing near one of these units that is suddenly blasted with a jet of this steam will undoubtedly suffer first, second, or third degree burns to their body, limbs, and face. Serious burns often affect tissues beneath the skin, which requires immediate and extensive treatment. Furthermore, burns leave more disfiguring scars than just about any other injury. Burn victims often receive non-economic damages such as disfigurement and pain and suffering. 

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Additionally, when these units reach the point of explosion, there’s no limit as to the injuries that could be sustained. The sheer force of the blast as well as the resulting shrapnel and fragmentation are more than enough to maim, disfigure, and even kill a person. 

Brands and Models to Avoid

In the U.S., the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for vetting product safety and taking action whenever a problem arises. In terms of pressure cookers, the following brands have been issued a recall notice by the CPSC: 

• Cuisinart 
• Instant Pot 
• Crock-Pot Multi-Cookers
• Breville 
• Farberware 
• QVC Model PC501
• Manttra 
• NuWave 
• Tristar Products 
• Nutri-Pot
• Double Insight 
• Itrex-Brand
• Maxi Matic 
• Cook’s Essentials
• Power Pressure Cooker XL 

Contact Trusted Product Liability Attorneys

If you or someone you know is dealing with burns or other pressure cooker-related injuries, be sure to contact the experienced staff of product liability attorneys from Van Law Firm.  With just a simple phone call, we can evaluate the potential value of your case and guide you toward the right course of action with a free consultation. With a certified 5-star rating on all review platforms and $50 million recovered to date, it’s easy to see that we care about our clients and the outcome of their cases.