Instant Pot Lawsuits: Pressure Cooker Explosions and Subsequent Legal Action

If you’ve been injured by a defective Instant Pot pressure cooker, know that you have legal options and our Defective Pressure Cooker Lawyers are here to help you seek justice.

Pressure Cooker Lawsuits aim to compensate victims suffering from substantial burn injuries (such as third degree burns), lacerations, and other severe injuries after an Instant Pot exploded.

Our law firm understands the trauma associated with having an everyday appliance severely injure you.

We aren’t afraid to take on large companies and manufacturers for the negligently selling pressure cookers that can explode.

Contact us for a free consultation your instant pot pressure cooker, crock pot, electric pressure cooker, or other similar product exploded and injured you.

What to Know About Filing an Instant Pot Lawsuit

Instant Pot Explosion Lawsuits are product liability lawsuits.

Product liability lawsuits are filed when consumer products are defective and injure users.

Product liability lawsuits are a type of civil lawsuit.

To familiarize yourself with the civil lawsuit process, read our blog about the steps of civil litigation and how we approach lawsuits for your injuries.

In a Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuit, your law firm will help you gather evidence of your injuries and the defective pressure cooker, assess and calculate your damages, and fight for rightful compensation on your behalf.

If you are considering filing a product liability lawsuit for your injuries from a defective Instant Pot pressure cooker, contact us.

We’re here to help.

Is There a Class Action Lawsuit for Defective Pressure Cookers?

There have been a few class action lawsuits filed for defective pressure cookers.

Though if you have been actually injured by a pressure cooker, you may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit and secure compensation that accurately reflects what you’ve gone through.

A class action lawsuit divides settlements evenly amongst all plaintiffs involved.

If you file a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit individually, your lawyer will advocate for an individualized settlement on your behalf.

A potential settlement value in individually filed Pressure Cooker Lawsuits will compensate you for your injuries, medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Potential Injuries From Defective Instant Pots

When using a defective Instant Pot, there are potential injuries you should be aware of, including:

• First-degree burn
• Second-degree burn
• Third-degree burn
• Infections
• Electric shock
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Debilitating Injuries

These injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the intensity of the burn.

In some cases, victims may even require hospitalization, surgery, and extensive medical treatment to help them heal.

Unfortunately, these injuries can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and even death.

What Should You Do if a Defective Pressure Cooker Injures You?

In case a defective Instant Pot injures you or someone you know, follow these steps to help ensure your safety:

• Seek immediate medical attention: Your safety should always be your primary concern. Call 911 and get medical help as soon as possible.
• Retain evidence: Gather any evidence related to the incident, such as the broken Instant Pot, medical documents, or related proof that a defective pressure cooker caused the injury.
• Take photos and videos: If possible, take pictures and videos of the injury, faulty device, property damage, and any other evidence.
• Contact an experienced Instant Pot attorney: An expert Instapot Burn attorney can help you understand your legal rights and ensure you receive just compensation for your injuries.

Medical Treatments Related to Defective Instant Pots

Medical treatments related to Instant Pot burn injuries can be costly and long-term.

Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may require the following treatments:

• Hospitalization
• Skin grafts
• Pain management medications and therapies
• Physical therapy
• Psychological counseling

Some may also need PTSD treatment or assistance in dealing with the trauma of their experience.

Long-term assisted care may also be necessary in severe cases.

Instant Pot Safety Feature Errors

While Instant Pot products can pressure cook food efficiently and quickly, remember that the appliance still carries some risk.

It’s best to exercise extra caution when using the device and know its design and safety features.

Pressure Cooker Recalls

In 2015, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled over a thousand Instant Pot electric pressure cookers sold in the U.S. and Canada.

This is because the thermal probe in the cooker base can conduct electrical energy throughout the cooker, which can cause a fire and electric shock.

There were three consumers that reported getting shocked while using their Instant Pot, and the CPSC recommended that its manufacturer, Instant Brands, replace the recalled units for free.

In 2018, Distributor Double Insight received 107 reports of an Instant Pot model overheating and causing a fire hazard.

There were five counts of minor property damage and no injuries were reported.

Reports stated that there was an error in the manufacturing process, causing a tooling misalignment that can overheat and melt the underside of the cooker.

The CPSC recalled around 104,000 units and recommended a replacement or a refund of the purchase price.

Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Explosion

In March 2022, world boxing legend Guillermo Rigondeaux sustained severe burns and injuries after a faulty pressure cooker exploded in his face.

Boiling water splattered into his eyes and chest, and he required emergency care.

He lost 80% of his vision due to severely burned corneas, and it’s still unknown if he’ll fully regain sight.

In January 2023, an Ohio family lost their home and two pet cats after their Instant Pot caught fire.

The mother was upstairs with her husband and two kids when the fire alarm went off.

She ran downstairs to find their kitchen swallowed in flames. Fortunately, everyone was able to escape.

The incident happened a few days after Christmas.

What is an Instant Pot Burn Message?

Instant Pot products and other pressure cooker brands usually display burn notices to alert users of possible issues or malfunctions, and each Instant Pot burn message appears on its LCD screen.

The Instant Pot Product Burn Messages or Safety Features messaging include:

• OvHt: This burn notice indicates possible overheating on the inner pot. When this happens, stop the program and double-check if the bottom of the pot or the heating element has burned food sticking to it.
• Burn: This burn error message appears if the Instant Pot might be overheating. It should lower the temperature and may not reach the correct cooking pressure. Starch deposits also may have collected at the bottom of the pot and blocked heat dissipation. To fix it, stop the pressure cooker and check the inner pot for burnt food.
• Food burn: This “food burn” warning suggests that burned food is in the pressure cooker. Solve this by removing the food from the inner pot and deglazing it before putting food back into the Instant Pot.

It’s easy to panic when you see that the Instant Pot says burn or any other error message.

However, it is essential to understand that these messages do not necessarily indicate a defect but serve as safety warnings for potential issues.

Stay calm and perform the proper troubleshooting steps to fix the problem.

How Does Overheat Protection Work?

Many users trust the reliability of Instant Pot units because each pot is equipped with thermal sensors that automatically monitor and change the pressure cooker’s inside temperature.

The sensors also detect any burning or abnormalities and activate safety mechanisms to turn off the heat in the cooking pot.

The cooking pot can get too hot when under pressure and may heat up beyond the boiling point of water.

When the sensor senses too much heat, the cooker will automatically stop cooking and display an Instant Pot burn message.

This failsafe protects your food and the pressure cooker itself.

Once it cooled down enough, the heating element will reactivate and try to continue the pressure cooking cycle.

However, if the temperature gets too high again, the Instant Pot’s programming allows it to attempt five more times before finally turning off.

This safety feature helps protect the user from burns or scalding and improves the unit’s overall safety.

However, like most appliances, proper use and maintenance of the pressure cooker are essential for optimal security.

Even if the Instant Pot has the best safety features, users should still exercise caution when cooking and perform quick, calm troubleshooting whenever they spot an Instant Pot burn message.

What Should You Do if You See a Burn Notice in Your Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot has a “set it and forget it” design, making it one of the most popular kitchen appliances on the market.

However, users should take extra precautions when using an Instant Pot unit, including checking all parts for damage or malfunction before cooking and safely removing the pressure cooker’s lid when finished cooking.

If your Instant Pot displays a burn notification, don’t panic.

Even if the appliance is engineered for convenience, it’s best not to ignore burn message warnings.

To ensure your safety, follow these steps.

Stop the Cooking Process

Press Cancel to stop the pressure cooking program, and do a quick release to let go of any pressure built.

If foam or liquid rises, close the steam release valve, wait for the pressure to decrease, and do a quick release again until the float valve drops.

Turn off your Instant Pot and unplug it from the power outlet.

Be careful when doing this, as the cooker’s exterior can be scorching.

It’s best to use kitchen gloves or mittens when handling your Instant Pot.

Check the Lid and the Steam Release Valve

See if the lid’s sealing ring is evenly seated and if it has any damage.

Also, check if there’s food stuck in the cover and carefully remove it if there is.

Double-check if the steam release valve is in the sealing position.

A steam valve in the venting position releases steam and can cause the Instant Pot to heat up too quickly.

Adjust it to the sealing position.

Inspect the Bottom of the Pot

Examine the cooker base for any food debris burnt or stuck on the bottom of the pot.

This can be caused by not enough liquid in the Instant Pot or thick sauces like tomato sauce.

It can also happen if you select the sauté mode without deglazing the bottom first.

Be sure to scrape and clean off all the browned bits or debris and clean the heating element before you continue cooking.

Add More Liquid

In most cases, adding more liquid to the Instant Pot should fix the burn message.

If your recipe calls to add starchy foods and thick sauces, add more water, broth, or other thin liquid.

This will help prevent the food from sticking and burning to the bottom of the Instant Pot and rehydrate the ingredients to help evenly cook your meal.

Finish Cooking

After these steps, you can start cooking again to finish your favorite recipes.

Be sure to keep an eye on your Instant Pot and be aware of any signs of malfunctioning.

Also, pay attention to the time and temperature when pressure cooking.

By troubleshooting the burn message quickly, you can ensure that your Instant Pot is working correctly, save your meal from burning, and keep yourself safe.

Filing An Instant Pot Burn 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.

Gathering Evidence for Instant Pot Lawsuits

Evidence is extremely important for Instant Pot Burn and Explosion Lawsuits.

Evidence in an Instant Pot Burn Lawsuit may include: 

• Medical records
• Doctor’s notes
• Photos and videos
• Receipts of purchase for Instant Pot
• Any other evidence related to the instant pot and subsequent injuries and/or property damage

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 Explosion Lawyer

If you or a loved one have suffered serious burns, serious injuries, or other harm from a defective Instant Pot or any other faulty pressure cooker, contact an experienced Instant Pot attorney who can help protect your rights and seek financial compensation. 

The expert lawyers at TorHoerman Law can assist you in filing a lawsuit to seek proper financial restitution for the pain, suffering, medical expenses, and other losses caused by defective Instant Pots.

We can evaluate your case and explore all of your legal options.

The numerous safety components on a pressure cooker’s design should prevent boiling liquid, hot food, hot steam, and other extremely dangerous contents of a pressure cooker from exiting the slow cooker.

Defective pressure cookers can potentially explode, causing extreme physical pain, thermal burns, and other painful bodily injuries.

Pressure cooker manufacturers need to provide proper instructions to handle potentially dangerous pressure cookers.

If your pressure cooker exploded and you’ve been injured, you may be eligible to file a Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuit.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit instantly.