Are You the Victim of a Pressure Cooker Explosion?

If you or your family was seriously burned in a pressure cooker explosion, you might be eligible to file a pressure cooker lawsuit seeking compensation for the injuries you suffered and the losses you incurred due to those injuries.

Was Your Pressure Cooker Recalled?

Some defective pressure cookers have already been recalled from the market due to the threat they posed to the public. But not all devices have been recalled, and some may end up being sold and used while explosion reports are investigated. The truth is, these investigations and the recall process itself can take months.

Investigators will evaluate several factors before issuing a recall including:

• How severe the risk to the public
• The number and types of injuries that could be sustained by use
• The number of products involved
• The defect type, such as defective warnings, instructions, packaging or components

A few of the pressure cooker brands that have been included in past recalls include:

• Manttra
• Ultrex
• Double Insight
• Breville
• Cookers sold on QVC and HSN
• Tristar Products

Pressure Cooker Burn Injuries

Pressure cooker injuries are often severe and can result in permanent scarring. Unfortunately, most injuries occur to the top half of the body, including:

• Severe burns to the face, scalp, neck, chest, arms, and back from high-temperature foods and liquids
• Steam burns to the face and arms
• Impact injuries from the exploded pot and its contents

How Bad is the Problem?

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reports that in about three years, more than 800 injury reports were filed over pressure cooker explosions that resulted in consumers suffering severe burns to up to 50 percent of their bodies.

One of the most popular brands of pressure cooker is a Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL. But more than a dozen people have been seriously injured when the device exploded. One victim said she was burned across the chest, arms, and hands when her cooker exploded like a volcano.

You should be aware that the burn injuries linked to defective and malfunctioning pressure cookers are severe and complex to treat, even if the victim receives immediate medical attention. Just a moment of exposure to foods and liquids that are hotter than boiling can cause deep and dangerous burns. Treating burns can involve removal of the damaged skin from the body to reduce infection risks and promote healing. These treatments are painful and time-intensive, meaning victims may require extended stays in hospital burn units.

Dangerous Defects and Malfunctions

Even if you use caution and follow all safe use rules, you may still suffer injury. Many people had followed the rules only to sustained significant impact injuries and severe burns when their cooker exploded because of design flaws or defects, including:

• Improper steam ventilation
• Defective locking mechanisms that allow the lid to be released before the pressure is reduced
• Poor seals that allow dangerous high-temperature steam to leak from the lid
• Defective safety pins
• Defective release valves

Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuits

Any person who suffers injury and burns from a malfunctioning or defective pressure cooker may be entitled to significant compensation for the damages they sustained. Speak to a skilled and knowledgeable attorney to learn more.