Richmond Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyers
Helping victims of exploding pressure cookers across Virginia
Manufacturers market pressure cookers as safe and convenient, but a single malfunction can cause catastrophic results. Explosions, burns, scarring, and even permanent disability are possible consequences. At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we stand up for victims and their families, and hold negligent manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable.
Compensation available for pressure cooker injuries
Potential recovery in a successful pressure cooker lawsuit may include the following:
- Medical bills (i.e., coverage for hospital care, burn treatments, surgery, skin grafts)
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Your damages will depend largely on the type and extent of your injuries. Reach out to us to learn what you might be able to recover in your case.
Why pressure cookers are dangerous
Pressure cookers have safety mechanisms that are meant to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, they can fail, and when they do, the nature of these devices makes for catastrophic results. Often, the failures occur because of defects in the products, such as:
- Lids that blow off, becoming projectiles because of the high pressure
- Faulty or weak locking mechanisms that allow the device to explode
- Pressure release valves that clog or malfunction, causing extreme pressure to build up
- Defective gaskets or seals that allow burning steam to release
- Missing or poorly written safety instructions that result in people using the device incorrectly
In many of these scenarios, the extremely hot contents of the pressure cooker, which can reach temperatures of up to 266 degrees Fahrenheit, can spray at high velocity across a room. Imagine scalding hot soup that explodes throughout a kitchen, potentially striking people in their faces or bodies. As a result, when these incidents happen, there are some common and severe injuries that such defective and dangerous products may lead to, including:
- Serious burns, which may require medical intervention, such as skin grafts
- Severe scalds and blisters
- Eye injuries (including permanent blindness)
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
- Lacerations from flying debris
When it comes to burns, there are three medical degrees. All three are possible outcomes of a pressure cooker explosion.
First-degree burns: The least severe of the three burn types causes reddening and pain, and may still require medical treatment depending on location.
Second-degree burns: These result in blisters and open wounds, which create a higher risk of infection and permanent scarring.
Third-degree burns: The most serious degree of burns is capable of causing severe damage requiring skin grafts and long-term care. These may lead to disfigurement or disability.
Suffering from any of the above catastrophic injuries can also lead to emotional harm or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More alarmingly, these malfunctions are predictable. Given past issues with pressure cookers, no manufacturer can credibly claim that they weren’t aware of the possible risks associated with their products. Despite that knowledge, people continue to suffer life-altering injuries from these devices.
Brands and recalls
While not all models have been linked to lawsuits or recalls, many have led to injuries or have identifiable defects that could lead to harm. Some of the pressure cookers flagged for causing injuries or because of possible risks include the following:
- Insignia 6-Quart Multi-Function Pressure Cooker.
- Sunbeam Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cooker.
- Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL.
- Instant Pot "Smart" and "Smart-60" electric pressure cookers.
- SharkNinja Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers.
- SVKLHY Pressure Cookers (sold by Amazon).
- NuWave Pressure Cookers.
Remember that even if a model isn’t officially recalled or associated with past injuries, a defective unit may still be grounds for a claim. Speak to a lawyer to learn your possible options.
How pressure cooker explosions happen
There are several ways that pressure cookers might become dangerous. Some possible failures include:
- Exploding lids: faulty seals, bad electronics, or excess pressure buildup.
- Premature opening: designs that allow lid removal before the container has fully depressurized.
- Safety feature breakdown: malfunctioning valves, locks, or auto shut-offs.
The underlying issue is that manufacturers may prioritize their sales over consumer safety. When this happens, it’s important to hold them accountable.
Virginia product liability law
Consumers who suffer injuries because of a defective product may have the ability to file a claim. The categories of defects that Virginia law recognizes include:
- Design defects: Unsafe design across all units.
- Manufacturing defects: Mistakes during the production of otherwise safe designs.
- Failure to warn: Missing or inadequate safety instructions or warnings.
The parties that might be liable include:
- Manufacturers
- Distributors
- Retailers
- Importers
We can investigate the incident to help you determine the cause of the accident and the potentially liable party or parties.
How Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers help
Our attorneys help those injured by defective pressure cookers by:
- Investigating the defective cooker and preserving physical evidence.
- Partnering with engineering experts to explain what went wrong.
- Identifying all responsible companies.
- Negotiating settlements with insurers.
- Litigating in court when necessary to recover fair compensation.
We’re a nationally recognized personal injury law firm that has achieved proven results, including eight-figure awards in past product liability cases. While our past results can’t guarantee future outcomes, we feel that our record shows that we’re ready to fight for our clients. If you'd like to learn more about how we can support you, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Deadlines to file in Virginia
In Virginia, the general statute of limitations is two years from the injury date. There are some rare exceptions, for example, in the case of injuries to minors. However, you should never wait to speak to a lawyer. Evidence becomes more challenging to collect as time passes, and building a successful case strategy doesn’t happen overnight. Calling us as soon as possible can help improve your chances of a successful outcome.
Timeline of recalls & safety concerns
Risks associated with pressure cookers aren’t something new. These incidents have been causing injuries for years. In fact, for more than a century, pressure cookers have carried severe injury risks, which even the most ‘modern’ redesigns have failed to eliminate. Here is a brief timeline of the issues:
- 1679, the first pressure cooker: Denis Papin, a French physicist, invented the first pressure cooker, which proved useful for killing bacteria and quickly cooking food.
- The early 20th century: Stove-top cookers were becoming increasingly popular in US kitchens.
- The 1950s saw inferior models enter the market: Pressure cookers were peaking in popularity in the post-WWII era, but as cheaper models hit the market, a rise in injuries began to damage the product’s reputation.
- The 2010s' new supposedly safe models restore consumer trust: Electric/programmable cookers were marketed as “foolproof.” Brands like Instant Pot, Tristar, and Crock-Pot rose in popularity, but sadly, accidents continued.
- July 2015 (Instant Pot Recall): A wiring defect created the risk of electric shock.
- December 2015 (Breville Recall): A defective gasket allowed lids to release under pressure, becoming projectiles.
- November 2020 (Crock-Pot Recall): Over 900,000 units were recalled over a defect that allowed pressurization with the lid not securely locked. Over 100 injuries were reported related to the “lid detachment, resulting in 99 burn injuries ranging in severity from first-degree to third-degree burns.”
- SharkNinja recall, 2025: More than 1.8 million Foodi OP300 Series multi-cookers in the U.S. were recalled, along with another 184,000 in Canada. It’s possible to open the pressure-cooking lid during use, which allows the release of hot contents, resulting in possible burns.
- Ongoing Issues: Tristar, Insignia, Ninja, Sunbeam and others linked to complaints or lawsuits. Some companies quietly updated designs without notifying consumers.
Defective cookers remain in homes. Some may even remain on shelves. Recalls don’t always reach everyone, and when it comes to pressure cookers, a flaw can be devastating.
Reach out to our pressure cooker injury lawyers
If your pressure cooker exploded and caused injuries to you or a loved one, you may be experiencing pain, disfigurement, and other serious losses. Your medical costs might be extreme as well, but you could have legal options that would allow you to recover for those injuries. Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers offers free consultations from our Richmond office. Our firm doesn’t charge you fees unless we reach a successful resolution in your case, so there is no risk in reaching out to us. Call us or fill out our contact form to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.