Everything You Need To Know About Pressure Cooker Explosions

Pressure cookers are common kitchen appliances used by millions across the country.

With the rise in popularity of pressure cookers has come reports detailing how these appliances can explode and seriously injure consumers at no fault of their own.

Several Pressure Cooker Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of injured consumers, and recalls have been announced due to dangerous pressure cookers exploding due to defects in the manufacturing process.

Pressure Cooker Explosions in the News

For some time now, several reports regarding exploding pressure cookers have been featured in state and national news reports.

In one case reported by CBS News Miami, a woman suffered severe burns from using a defective pressure cooker.

According to the victim, she released all the steam from the pressure cooker twice to ensure there wouldn’t be any pressure left when opened.

The manual on the pressure cooker details that it has a safety feature that prevents the pressure cooker from opening if pressure is still detected inside.

Because of this, the woman opened the lid, and since it worked, she assumed that all the pressure inside the cooker dissipated.

Unfortunately, the pressure cooker exploded along with the contents inside.

The boiling food caused severe second-degree burns on her body.

Because the safety feature failed to work in this case, the victim could file a claim against the manufacturer.

Why Do Pressure Cookers Explode?

As mentioned, pressure cookers explode for three primary reasons.

With vast safety features incorporated into modern pressure cookers, explosions should be highly unlikely — but these accidents still happen.

If you’re curious why Instant Pot explosions occur, here are some of the most common reasons:

• Faulty steam release valve: When this valve is defective, the pressure cooker can’t release excess steam completely. This defect could cause high-pressure build-up and lead to an explosion.
• Defective safety valve: Most pressure cookers have a safety valve that won’t open until all the steam is released. If this valve isn’t working correctly, it could cause the equipment to explode.
• Faulty gasket: The gasket is the part that seals the pressure cooker and ensures that no steam escapes. When pressure leaks from your equipment, it could quickly escalate to a damaging explosion.

Ultimately, inadequate pressure control is the leading cause of pressure cooker explosions.

Although human mistakes could contribute to this occurrence, it all boils down to the manufacturer ensuring all safety features work efficiently.

Documented Recalls for Defective Pressure Cookers and Instant Pots

With the large amount of litigation against dangerous pressure cookers, many household brand names are involved in these lawsuits.

Listed below are some of the popular pressure cooker brands that issued massive product recalls:

• Breville
• Crock-Pot
• Double Insight
• Elite Bistro
• Instant Pot
• Mantra Inc
• NuWave
• QVC
• Rena Ware
• Wolfgang Puck

This list doesn’t include all other pressure cooker brands that issued a recall.

It’s also worth noting that only a certain product line was recalled in some of these brands.

If you want to ensure the quality of your pressure cooker, it’s best to consult the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) for more information.

Most Common Defective Pressure Cooker Injuries

Unlike traditional models, modern pressure cookers are built to be safer and easier to use.

However, defective products could easily make their way onto store shelves without rigorous quality checks and assurance.

Listed below are some common injuries related to flawed pressure cookers:

• Severe burns: Pressure cookers are made to reach and withstand the boiling point. If the lid pops open due to a defective safety valve, it could cause scalding hot liquid or food to spew over you.
• Blindness: Similar to the situation above, if the safety valve fails to work, it could cause steam and hot liquid to shoot into your face. This trauma could damage your eyes and lead to blindness.
• Disfigurement: With severe burns, disfigurement is also possible. If a pressure cooker explodes, it could cause facial burns that permanently affect your appearance.
• Psychological trauma: Apart from physical injuries, psychological trauma is also possible. If you suffer an extreme injury or disfigurement, it could leave a lasting impact on your mental health.

Medical Treatments People May Have To Undergo if They’re Injured

Defective pressure cookers cause severe injuries that could be expensive to treat.

If you’ve suffered physical trauma from a pressure cooker explosion, you may have to receive the following treatments.

Skin Grafts

Skin grafts are the primary treatment for second to third-degree burns.

This surgical procedure takes skin from the hidden and unaffected parts of your body and transplants it to the burned area.

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need more than one procedure to restore your skin’s appearance.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may be required if the affected area is a limb or joint.

This process strengthens the muscles and joints to restore their full range of motion and restore your body to perfect shape.

Physical therapy often takes a few months to get your motor function back to pre-accident condition.

Psychological Therapy

As shown in the previous section, pressure cooker accident victims could sustain psychological trauma.

If the injury is severe and lasts long-term, therapy may be necessary to restore your mental health.

Surgery and Other Treatment

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need surgery to remove dead or damaged tissue.

If the accident has caused severe damage to your internal organs, multiple surgeries could be required.

Apart from surgeries, you might have to deal with the potential of infection, so you’d need to take antibiotics.

What To Do if You're Injured by a Pressure Cooker Explosion

If you sustained significant damage, or a loved one was injured by a defective pressure cooker, here are some steps to help you take legal steps against the negligent manufacturer:

Seek Medical Attention

After the accident, you should call 911 immediately.

If you can, you should perform first aid or ask for assistance from someone nearby until the emergency personnel arrives.

Medical attention should be your priority, no matter how minor or major the injury is. Burn injuries can be nasty, and leaving them exposed and untreated can lead to severe infections.

Retain Evidence

Once you’re back on your feet, you should start collecting evidence related to the accident.

This includes taking pictures of the defective pressure cooker and documenting your medical records.

Any proof of financial distress due to the injury should also be gathered, such as hospital bills and other expenses.

Take Photos and Videos

As stated above, taking photos and videos of the accident scene is vital in evidence retention.

Obviously, you can’t take pictures if you are seriously injured.

In this case, it would be best to have someone in your house do it for you or ask the emergency personnel to do it.

Contact an Attorney at Torhoerman Law

Once you have the evidence you need to file a personal injury case, it’s time to seek a product defect lawyer to help you.

Successful lawsuit claims can help you get the just compensation you deserve for your damages.

This compensation covers all your medical expenses (medical bills, rehabilitation costs, etc.), lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with the injury.

What Can You Expect From Your Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuit?

Cases involving defective pressure cookers fall under product liability, a branch of personal injury law.

The pressure cooker’s manufacturer, supplier, and distributor may be held liable for injuries sustained by their defective product.

If you win your case, you’ll need to discuss compensation.

The court might award you for all the damages you endured due to negligence, such as medical bills and lost wages.

With the help of an experienced attorney from Torhoerman Law, you can maximize the potential compensation you’ll receive from your case.

Filing A Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuit

The civil litigation process requires extreme attention to detail and can be overwhelming for someone who does not possess extensive legal knowledge.

A defective pressure cooker lawyer will need to be able to prove the liability of the manufacturer for any injuries that you have suffered.

Additionally, you will be obligated to show proof of mitigation, meaning that you have made a concerted effort to treat your injuries.

It is imperative to file your claim as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, the statute of limitations may expire, and your claim will become void.

Mitigate Injuries

If have been a victim of a pressure cooker explosion, see your doctor as soon as possible to receive the care necessary and see if surgery or immediate care will be needed.

It’s important to treat any injury related to a pressure cooker explosion as early as possible.

Make sure to follow orders from medical professionals and do everything in your power to mitigate future economic impacts related to your injury.

Hire A Defective Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyer

After getting the proper medical treatment, contact a TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your best legal options with an experienced attorney from our firm.

Hiring a personal injury attorney is an important first step.

Be sure to seek representation from an attorney who is experienced, well-resourced, and dedicated to your case.

An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to guide you along the legal process and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation for the losses that you have suffered.

Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuits: What Are The Potential Damages?

If you have suffered any sort of injury related to a defective pressure cooker, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer.

Damages refer to the total amount of losses, economic and non-economic, incurred as a result of an accident or injury.

TorHoerman Law’s defective pressure cooker attorneys will help you get the compensation you deserve.

Potential damages that can be recovered include:

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement that comes with serious burns
• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and future wages
• Emotional damages
• Permanent disability
• Property damage
• Punitive damages

TorHoerman Law: Your Pressure Cooker Lawyers

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or severe burns after your pressure cooker exploded, you may be eligible to file a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case consultation.

You can also use our chatbot to receive a free, instant online case evaluation and find out if you qualify for a Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuit today.

TorHoerman Law has a team of experienced product liability attorneys ready to serve you.

To date, our firm has won more than $4 billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements for our clients.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, so we are always committed to getting the best results possible for our clients.