Pressure Cooker Malfunctions Can Lead to Serious Burns and Other Injuries. You May Be Entitled to Compensation

CONSUMER ALERT! Our Defective Product Attorneys Are Filing Lawsuits in Kentucky for Pressure Cooker Injuries

The Consumer Protection Safety Commission recently recalled a number of pressure cooker manufacturer models including, but not limited to:
  • Breville
  • Manttra
  • Ultrex-Brand
  • Double Insight
  • Tristar Products
  • Model PC501: a pressure cooker sold on QVC
Many other manufacturers and models are currently under review.

Pressure Cookers Are Dangerous Devices

The recalls were the result of numerous instances of burn injuries associated with defective and/or exploding pressure cookers. Pressure cookers are very dangerous devices. While offering convenient meal preparation, the mechanism by which pressure cookers perform their task is dangerous. Pressure cookers cook food by creating high heat and an incredible buildup of steam pressure within the appliance. If any component of the device is faulty or built substandard, the result can by an explosion or misdirected sudden release of super-heated steam. In addition, debris from the exploding device can act as shrapnel often severely injuring nearby individuals with cuts and blunt-force trauma on top of the severe burns caused by the steam.

Some of the Typical Pressure Cooker Design Flaws our Attorneys Have Encountered that Led to Serious Injury:

  • Faulty gaskets
  • Defective safety valves
  • Poor quality and workmanship of components
  • Improperly assembled pressure cookers
  • Faulty seals
  • Defective safety pins
  • Faulty locking lids that fail to remain sealed once critical pressure and temperature are reached
  • Defective steam venting
  • General failure to warn consumers of the risks associated with pressure cookers

Burn Injuries Resulting from Pressure Cookers Are Serious and Often Life Altering

Severe burns are horrible injuries that leave permanent scarring and lifelong pain. Due to the typical location of an exploding pressure cooker, many victims suffer third-degree burns to their face, upper torso, and hands. These burns often require painful skin debridement and grafting procedures and extensive stays within hospital burn units. Even with the best of medical care, individuals are often left with horrible scars and a lifetime of pain.

Case Study: A Faulty Gasket Seal Resulted in Significant Burns

Recently, our firm represented a young man severely burned by a defective pressure cooker resulting in permanent scarring and disfigurement. In this particular case, the pressure cooker had a design flaw that caused the locking lid to fail to remain sealed after a certain pressure was reached due to a faulty gasket seal. The manufacturer had chosen to use a cheaper material for the gasket seal which caused it to fail prematurely and not maintain an adequate seal. This decision was made after testing had been performed using the more expensive gasket which was able to maintain a successful seal under the same temperature and pressure. Our client had used the pressure cooker several times without incident until the seal failed, the locking lid failed and the device exploded in his kitchen. As a result, he will require continued painful treatment for his burns and resultant scarring. Our team of lawyers litigated this case aggressively and proved that the cost-saving measure was the cause of this horrible injury. The case resolved pre-trial for a confidential amount.

Our Attorneys Can Help If You've Suffered from a Faulty Pressure Cooker

Gray & White has extensive experience and success in handling defective product cases. We have access to world-renowned experts in the fields of consumer product safety and damages associated with pressure cooker related injuries. If you or a loved one was injured by a pressure cooker contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION concerning your rights against the pressure cooker manufacturer.