Start ClaimDefective pressure cookers have caused devastating injuries to California families. Despite manufacturers’ claims about multiple safety features, these kitchen appliances have failed catastrophically, causing severe burns, permanent scarring, and life-altering injuries to unsuspecting users throughout San Diego, Los Angeles, and communities across California.
At Jurewitz Law Group, our California pressure cooker injury attorneys have witnessed the profound impact these accidents have on victims and their families. For nearly two decades, we’ve stood up for injured Californians against powerful corporations that put profits over safety.
If you or a loved one has suffered burns or injuries from a pressure cooker explosion, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Our experienced team is ready to evaluate your case today through our simple online assessment.
Why Are Pressure Cookers Dangerous?
Modern electric pressure cookers have become extremely popular in California homes. These appliances use steam pressure to cook food quickly while supposedly maintaining safety through various protection mechanisms. Popular brands like Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, and Crock-Pot Express dominate the market, with manufacturers claiming these products feature foolproof safety systems.
Despite these safety claims, our San Diego product liability attorneys have found these “guaranteed safety features” often fail to protect consumers. When pressure cooker safety mechanisms malfunction, the results can be catastrophic due to the extreme temperatures and pressures involved.
Locking systems malfunction catastrophically. Critical safety features fail during normal use, allowing unexpected lid removal.
Foods reach dangerous temperatures. Internal liquids exceeding 250°F cause immediate third-degree burns upon skin contact.
Pressure creates violent eruptions. When containment fails, contents forcefully eject, spraying scalding food throughout kitchens.
Safety claims prove deceptive. Manufacturers promote “foolproof design” despite documented history of catastrophic failures.
Burns cause permanent trauma. Victims often require multiple surgeries, experience disfigurement, and suffer lasting psychological effects.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented hundreds of pressure cooker injuries and multiple recalls. In 2020, Sunbeam Products recalled nearly one million Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cookers after numerous reports of lid detachment and burn injuries. California burn centers have reported treating numerous pressure cooker victims, noting these injuries are typically more severe than conventional burns due to the combination of superheated liquids and explosive force.
Research from California medical institutions shows that pressure cooker injuries often result in deeper tissue damage compared to other kitchen accidents. These burns frequently require specialized treatment at facilities like the UC San Diego Regional Burn Center, including debridement procedures, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation.
Legal Basis for Filing a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit
Manufacturers must ensure safety. California law holds companies responsible for injuries caused by defective products.
Fundamental safety flaws exist. Many pressure cookers contain inherent design problems making them dangerous despite proper use.
Production errors cause accidents. Poor quality control leads to critical safety component failures during normal operation.
Risk disclosure was insufficient. Companies failed to properly warn consumers about serious dangers while marketing products.
Under California product liability law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can all be held responsible when their products cause harm due to defects in design, manufacturing, or inadequate warnings. For pressure cooker cases, this typically involves proving the product was unreasonably dangerous when used as intended.
California has seen several important pressure cooker cases. In 2021, a significant California case resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement for a plaintiff who suffered third-degree burns when her pressure cooker’s lid detached during normal use. This and other cases have strengthened the legal foundation for victims seeking justice.
At Jurewitz Law Group, our San Diego pressure cooker attorneys work with qualified engineers and medical experts to document exactly how these devices fail and the full extent of our clients’ injuries. This thorough approach has helped us secure significant settlements for California families affected by defective products.
Who Qualifies to File a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
If you’ve been injured by a pressure cooker explosion in California, you may be entitled to substantial compensation through a product liability lawsuit. Our Jurewitz Law Group pressure cooker attorneys are currently accepting cases that meet specific criteria.
To qualify for a potential lawsuit, you must have been using a pressure cooker that malfunctioned despite following the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically involves the lid being able to open while the contents were still under pressure, resulting in an explosion of scalding food and liquid. The pressure cooker’s safety features, which were supposed to prevent such accidents, failed to work properly.
Your injuries must have required medical attention, such as emergency room visits, hospitalization, burn treatments, skin grafts, or ongoing care. Medical documentation of your injuries is crucial for establishing your claim and the damages you’ve suffered. Our team works with medical experts who can properly assess and document the full extent of your injuries.
In California, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a product liability claim, though certain exceptions may apply. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within this timeframe, our attorneys can evaluate your specific situation.
It’s beneficial if you still have the defective pressure cooker, as this physical evidence can be examined by our engineering experts to determine exactly how the safety mechanisms failed. However, even if you no longer have the device, you may still have a valid claim based on your medical records and the documented pattern of failures in that particular model.
Common pressure cooker injuries include severe burns to the face, neck, chest, and arms; eye injuries from steam or projectile components; and nerve damage from severe burns. Many victims also suffer psychological trauma, including anxiety about cooking and PTSD symptoms.
Get Your Instant Case Evaluation
Don’t wait to learn if you qualify for compensation for your pressure cooker injuries. California law strictly limits the time you have to file a claim, and every day that passes could affect your ability to recover damages.
Our simple online evaluation takes just minutes to complete and can tell you immediately if you might have a case. Jurewitz Law Group has been helping injured Californians for nearly two decades, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Check your eligibility now with our free, online case evaluation.