Burned by a Pressure Cooker? What to Know About the SharkNinja Foodi Recall and Your Legal Rights

Pressure cookers might be a popular appliance, but recent recalls highlight the potential risks associated with these devices. The SharkNinja Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers recently became the subject of a massive recall. Already, more than 100 injuries have been reported related to these devices.

What you need to know about the recall

The recall applies to the SharkNinja Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers sold from Jan 2019 to Mar 2025. Around 1.8 million devices are subject to the recall, including model numbers “OP300, OP301, OP301A, OP302, OP302BRN, OP302HCN, OP302HAQ, OP302HW, OP302HB, OP305, OP305CO and OP350CO.” These devices were sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Costco, and Sam’s Club.

The hazard is that it is possible to lift the lid during pressure cooking, which can cause the hot contents to eject, potentially causing severe injuries. There are 106 official reports of injuries related to this product defect. More than 50 people suffered second or third-degree burns, and dozens of lawsuits are already being filed.

Almost all pressure cookers are made in China.  The U.S. distributors who put their labels on and sell these Chinese-made pressure cookers claim that “revolutionary technology” ensures that while the unit is pressurized the lid will not open.  This claim is false. Indeed, there are cases across the country where the unit opened under pressure causing burning hot contents to explode all over the consumer.

SharkNinja is offering to supply replacement lids to those impacted by the recall. No one should use the devices until they receive the replacement lids. Consumers can contact SharkNinja to request a replacement lid.

Burn risks: Severe, potentially life-altering injuries

Pressure cookers look like crock pots, but they work by way of a tight-sealing lid that locks the cooking liquid inside. The pot boils and creates steam, but because of the tight seal, the steam is trapped. This process cooks the food much faster than other methods.

While this is convenient, it creates the possibility of malfunctions. Faulty seals, design flaws, and defective locking mechanisms can turn this useful device into a hazard capable of causing severe injuries.

Some possible consequences of a defective pressure cooker include:

• Severe burns
• Scarring/disfigurement
• Blindness
• Emotional trauma

Legal options for pressure cooker injuries

The law allows those injured by defective products, like pressure cookers, options for recovering compensation. There are a few theories regarding legal liability for defective products in Virginia. The defects can fall into a few categories:

• Design defects: If there is a design defect, all individual products will have flaws. In the case of pressure cookers, if the design of the locking mechanism or seal is defective, each device with that lock or seal will be defective.
• Manufacturing defects: If the design is adequate, but something goes wrong during the production of a device, this is a manufacturing defect. In these cases, it might impact only one or some of the products.
• Inadequate warnings: If a product is potentially dangerous, it should include clear instructions and warnings. Think of something like a cleaning solution that should only be used with gloves. In that case, the instructions and warnings should be extremely clear and placed prominently to avoid mishaps and injuries. These are products that aren’t improperly designed or manufactured – instead, they must be dangerous to perform their job.

There are several parties that might be at fault for the defects and resulting injuries. Potentially liable parties include:

• Manufacturers: In this case, SharkNinja would be at fault as the manufacturer if they negligently designed or manufactured the products.
• Retailers and distributors: The stores that sold the product may also be liable if they were negligent or breached a duty, such as failing to remove recalled products from shelves.
• Importers: In some cases, the companies that import the product can also be at fault if they were negligent.

What you can recover in a lawsuit

A successful product liability lawsuit allows you to recover compensation for your injuries. The possible damages may include:

• Medical expenses (e.g., surgery, hospitalization, long-term care)
• Lost wages and future income loss
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Property damage

Why do you need an attorney

Virginia doesn’t recognize strict liability, which allows those injured by defective products to recover compensation even without proving negligence. As a result, it’s necessary to prove that the manufacturer, retailer, or distributor was negligent. This process can be more demanding from a legal perspective. However, your attorney can take steps to build a strong claim on your behalf, such as:

• Investigating the defective product and the incident that caused the injury
• Consult engineering experts to show what went wrong and why the defendant is liable for it
• Handle communications with insurers and manufacturers to protect your claim

Remember that Virginia law requires that you file your claim within two years of the injury. While that might sound like you have plenty of time, evidence can start to dry up long before you officially run out of time to file. The best way to build an effective claim is to speak to a lawyer right away.

Take action today

If you or a loved one sustained injuries because of a defective SharkNinja pressure cooker or any other pressure cooker, you need to explore your legal options. Medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses can add up quickly and create financial strain on families facing severe injuries. At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we fight on behalf of injury victims and their families. Call us today or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with one of our experienced product liability attorneys.