Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuit

Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Attorneys

Pressure cookers, which are commonly known as ‘instant pots’, have become extremely popular in the U.S. recently. Given the busy lives we lead, it’s hard for most people to find the time to make a healthy, homecooked meal. That’s where pressure cookers come in. They fill a need, allowing families to cook a nutritious meal in a fraction of the time it would take to make the same meal in a crockpot or oven. That is why so many families—especially those with two working parents—have turned to pressure cookers to feed their families. Although these appliances are supposed to be simple to operate and safe to use, many of them have defects that cause them to explode, causing serious injury to unsuspecting users.

What is a Pressure Cooker?

A pressure cooker is a kitchen appliance that uses pressurized steam to cook food faster than conventional cooking methods. These devices trap the heat from boiling water in a sealed chamber, producing high-pressure steam and delivering cooking temperatures as high as 266° F. The result is that these popular appliances can give you a quality, nutritious meal in a quarter of the time needed for conventional cooking. Unfortunately, the design of these products is potentially faulty.

What Pressure Cooker Defects Cause Injuries?

There are several defects affecting pressure cookers, but the end result is the same: the defects cause the appliances to explode-- either from a build-up of internal pressure or a drastic change in pressure as the lid is removed. The steam from pressure cookers is normally released through a valve that ensures there is never too much or too little pressure in the device. However, if this valve is clogged for any reason, the device is at risk of exploding and causing potentially serious, life-threatening injuries. The specific causes of the explosions include:

• Malfunctioning gaskets - This is when the rubber seal around the top of the instant pot fails to keep the appliance airtight.
• Lid not locking or sealing properly - Lid locks on pressure cookers are safety features. Locks that do not work properly pose an explosion hazard.
• Bad ventilation – Defective vents allow too much steam to build up.
• Malfunctioning release valves – Faulty valves can create excess pressure in an instant pot, creating a risk of explosion.
• False status alerts – This happens when a pressure cooker incorrectly tells a person to open the appliance when it is not safe.
• Defective wiring – Faulty wiring can pose a risk of electrocution.

What Injuries are Caused by Pressure Cooker Explosions?

Injuries from pressure cooker explosions can range from being mildly inconvenient to devastating and life-threatening. Below you will find some of the most common injuries:

• Burns and Scalds – Pressure cookers can reach temperatures over 200 degrees. In an explosion, food or liquid at those temperatures can leave1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd-degree burns. These burns can result in permanent scarring and even amputation.
• Electrocutions – If a user is hit by steam and super hot water during a pressure cooker explosion, contact with an electrical outlet can cause electrocution burns.
• Broken Bones / Concussions – These injuries can occur during an explosion if the victim is thrown or falls backward.
• Lacerations – Cuts and scrapes can be caused by material and shrapnel exploding from the pressure cooker.
• Blindness – Exploding material from pressure cookers can damage the face and eyes, potentially causing blindness.
• Disfigurement / Amputations – Serious burns to the face, hands, arms, and torso can cause permanent disfigurement and in some cases, the need for amputation.
• Wrongful Death – If the injury that results from a pressure cooker explosion is catastrophic enough, it can even lead to the wrongful death of the victim.

If you have been injured by an exploding pressure cooker, get medical attention as soon as possible. Before filing a case, you will need to prove that you made an effort to mitigate your damages by getting the proper treatment for your injuries. Your next step should be to contact the defective product attorneys at The Collins Law Firm about your claim. Lawsuits against instant pot manufacturers are being filed now, and you do not want to miss any statute of limitations or deadlines to file your case.

Which Pressure Cookers are Potentially Defective?

The pressure cookers that are affected are listed below:

• Cuisinart – Electric Pressure Cooker
• Breville – Fast Slow Cookers
• Instant Pot – “Smart” Model Pressure Cooker
• Cook’s Essentials – Pressure Cooker
• Crock-Pot – Express Crock Multi-Cookers
• Nutri-Pot
• Double Insight – Instant Pot
• Faberware Pressure Cooker
• Electric Pressure Cooker sold on QVC (model PC501, PPC770, PPC780, PPC790)
• NuWave – Pressure Cooker
• Manttra – Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
• Maxi Matic – Elite Electric Pressure Cooker
• Tristar Pressure Cooker Products (including model TRI6)
• Power Pressure Cookers XL (including PC-WAL1)
• Ultrex-Brand – Pressure Cooker

If you own one of the above pressure cookers, you should stop using it altogether or handle it with extreme care to avoid a catastrophic injury.

How are Pressure Cooker Manufacturers Liable?

By law, manufacturers are required to meet minimum safety standards to ensure the safe functioning of appliances such as pressure cookers. When a pressure cooker explodes, it is the result of a defect in the appliance, and the injured party can file a product liability claim. These claims fall into three categories:

1. Defective Manufacturing Claims: These claims allege that a defect in the manufacturing process resulted in an appliance that is different from the intended design, less safe, and more likely to cause injury. While the initial design was intended to create a safe product, an error in manufacturing made the product unsafe. Therefore, the manufacturer is liable.
2. Defective Design Claims: These claims assert that the initial design was flawed, which made the products inherently unsafe for the consumer. The design defect was either unseen or ignored and affected the entire line of products. Pressure cookers may have been designed with flawed pressure valves or lids that did not seal or lock consistently which makes them dangerous.
3. Failure to Warn Claims: In a failure to warn claim, the plaintiff alleges that the manufacturer is liable because it failed to include a warning on the product label about the potential dangers of using the appliance. For example, a manufacturer would be responsible for describing the possible injuries that could occur if the pressure cooker is opened before being depressurized. Failing to do so could make the company liable for injuries.

Do I Have a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?

If your pressure cooker exploded and you suffered injuries as a result, you may have a defective pressure cooker lawsuit and be eligible for compensation from the manufacturer. By law, the manufacturer is responsible for producing and selling a safe product. If a defect in the design or manufacture of the pressure cooker caused it to explode, you may have a product liability lawsuit, in which case you will need the help of an Illinois defective product lawyer.

What are My Potential Damages?

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a faulty pressure cooker, you may be entitled to compensation in several categories. Our defective pressure cooker attorneys will seek to recover damages for:

• Medical bills.
• Current and future lost wages
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering

How Can a Defective Product Lawyer Help?

If you have been injured by a faulty pressure cooker, hiring a good lawyer can be the difference between getting compensated or not. At The Collins Law Firm, we have experienced and dedicated lawyers who will make the legal process as simple as possible for you. Your lawyer will:

• Gather the evidence needed to prove that your injures were caused by an exploding pressure cooker.
• Prove that the manufacturer is liable for any injuries sustained.
• Collect medical bills and wage statements to prove damages.
• File a lawsuit on your behalf and take it to trial or negotiate a fair settlement for you.

Call us at 630-527-1595 or fill out our contact form to see if you qualify for a defective pressure cooker lawsuit. We operate on a contingency fee basis so you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by speaking to an experienced defective product attorney, so contact us for a FREE evaluation of your defective pressure cooker claim today.

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