Richmond Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyers
Fighting for burn victims and families harmed by defective appliances
The convenience of pressure cookers has made them popular appliances in many American homes. However, defects can make pressure cookers go from time-savers to dangerous explosives. A pressure cooker accident can lead to serious burns, scalding injuries, and trauma.
When consumers suffer these types of serious injuries, our Richmond-based product liability attorneys can help victims file lawsuits against manufacturers and retailers of defective pressure cookers. In a successful claim, injury victims and their families can recover damages to cover related medical costs, lost income, and compensate for their pain and suffering.
How can we help?
- Why work with us?
- What makes pressure cookers so dangerous?
- Virginia product liability policies
- What our Richmond pressure cooker lawyers do for you
- What compensation can I recover for my pressure cooker injuries?
- How long do you have to file a pressure cooker claim in Richmond?
- Pressure cooker FAQs
- Do you have a pressure cooker injury lawyer near me?
Why work with us?
At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we have proven results in personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice and other cases. We are deliberate in our section of cases so that we can always offer clients and their claims the attention they deserve. We’re a nationally recognized firm, with accolades from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America®, and U.S. News & World Report.
What makes pressure cookers so dangerous?
Pressure cookers work by using high-pressure steam that can quickly cook food. The issue is that any part of the device – lid, gasket, or valve – can potentially cause an explosion.
Some of the issues that might happen with a pressure cooker include:
- Exploding lids or locking mechanisms
- Faulty pressure release valves
- Inadequate warning labels or instructions
- Failing seals or gaskets
Injuries often reported in pressure cooker accidents include:
- Second- and third-degree burns
- Disfigurement
- Blindness
- Scald wounds from flying hot contents
- Lacerations from shattered parts
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued recalls for pressure cookers, and several models have been linked to explosions, recalls, or injuries, including:
- Insignia 6-Quart Multi-Function Pressure Cooker
- Sunbeam Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers
- Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL
Other popular brands have also faced lawsuits and recalls. If your device malfunctioned, you should contact an attorney.
Virginia product liability policies
Under Virginia law, you may have the ability to recover damages, “because of any personal injury, death, emotional harm, consequential economic damage, or property damage, including damages resulting from the loss of use of property, arising out of the manufacture, design, importation, distribution, packaging, labeling, lease, or sale of a product.”
There are three general types of product defects that can lead to injuries, including:
- Design defects: A defective design will impact all resulting products. For example, if a pressure cooker’s lid is designed in such a way that it doesn’t close properly, all of the devices could be dangerous.
- Manufacturing defects: A manufacturing defect happens when something goes wrong during the making of the product, even though the design was sound. This issue could occur if a critical component of a pressure cooker was dropped and damaged during manufacturing, weakening it enough to make explosions possible.
- Inadequate warnings or failure to instruct: Some defects come in the form of a lack of knowledge imparted to the consumer. If it’s dangerous to leave the device on for too long, the product should have clear warnings. While it’s not necessary to warn of every possible way someone might misuse a product, the warnings should cover foreseeable ways that someone might misuse a device.
If someone is injured because of a defective product, like a pressure cooker, they may be able to collect compensation from:
- The manufacturers
- The retailers and distributors
- The companies that import foreign-made products
It’s important to discuss what occurred with an experienced Richmond product liability lawyer to determine what your options are and how you can start to pursue compensation.
What our Richmond pressure cooker lawyers do for you
If you suffered injuries because of a pressure cooker, you need to start exploring your legal options. Hiring an attorney is one of the first steps you should take. Your lawyer can:
- Investigate your injury, the incident, and the defective appliance
- Work with you to preserve evidence, like the damaged cooker (which can undergo a forensic evaluation)
- Find experts in product design and engineering who can explain what happened
- Help you identify the liable parties, and file a claim against any responsible companies
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Litigate the case if you are unable to reach a settlement
Your lawyer serves as a knowledgeable person who works on your side to hold those who caused your injuries accountable.
What compensation can I recover for my pressure cooker injuries?
Pressure cooker injuries can be extremely severe and leave lasting effects like disfigurement. If successful, your claim may allow you to recover:
- Medical expenses: Costs related to hospital stays, skin grafts, surgery, etc.
- Lost wages: Money you were unable to recover because of the injury.
- Earning capacity: If the injury prevents you from doing your previous job, you may recover for the loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: The law allows you to collect for your suffering and pain, not just financial losses.
- Emotional distress: Mental health conditions related to the injury may also be compensable.
- Permanent disfigurement or disability: If the injuries leave scars and other disfigurement, you may be able to recover compensation for this as well.
- Property damage: Including compensation for kitchen repairs and ruined appliances.
In the case of serious injuries, the medical costs can add up quickly. The average cost for just one night in the hospital in Virginia is $2,871. Ongoing care can add up as well. Recovering for these losses can help reduce the overall financial strain created by the defective pressure cooker.
How long do you have to file a pressure cooker claim in Richmond?
Virginia allows personal injury victims just two years from the date of the injury to file their claims. If you file after the statute of limitations passes, the court will not let your case proceed, and you may lose your ability to recover compensation. There are limited exceptions to that policy for injured minors and other specific circumstances. In every case, the sooner you speak to a lawyer, the better your chances are of building an effective case.
Pressure cooker FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about pressure cookers and the injuries they may cause.
What should I do if my pressure cooker explodes?
Your first priority should be your health, so be sure to seek medical attention. Other steps to take include photographing the injuries and property damage, preserving the defective device, and contacting an attorney.
How can I tell if my pressure cooker was recalled?
You can look up recalled products on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Can I file a claim if my pressure cooker wasn’t recalled?
Yes, if you were injured by a defective product like a pressure cooker, you can file a claim even if there is no recall related to that appliance.
How much is my case worth?
It’s impossible to give a number because every case is different. In general, the more severe the injuries, the larger the settlement or verdict will likely be.
What if I didn’t follow the instructions perfectly?
Even if you didn’t follow all of the instructions, you may still have a case. The law requires that manufacturers design appliances that are safe, even with foreseeable user error.
Do you have a pressure cooker injury lawyer near me?
Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers are conveniently located at 3315 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230. If you are unable to make it to us, reach out. We can make alternative arrangements for discussing your case.
Call our Richmond pressure cooker injury attorneys today
If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a pressure cooker, you need to speak to an attorney about your legal options. Call Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced product liability attorneys.