Pressure Cooker Lawsuit: Pressure Cooker Settlement Amounts

What Is the Average Pressure Cooker Settlement Payout?

The average pressure cooker settlement payout or verdict depends on the damages the plaintiff suffered.

While pressure cooker settlement amounts vary from case to case, they can average from $25,000 to over $2,000,000.

Pressure cooker settlements typically involve financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Cases involving physical injuries, emotional distress, and material losses from an exploding pressure cooker could result in higher settlement amounts than those involving only physical pain and suffering.

For example, thermal burns are the most common injuries when pressure cookers explode, and the settlement value depends on the location and severity of the damage.

First-degree burns can range from $25,000 to $75,000 in auto accident cases, while third-degree burns can be anywhere between $100,000 and $1,000,000 in product liability cases.

For pressure cooker lawsuits, the average settlement amount can be between $125,000 and $200,000 for second-degree burns and $600,000 and $2,000,000 for third-degree burns.

Cases with more severe damages, such as permanent disfigurement, can result in higher settlement amounts.

The amounts provided above are merely estimations based on prior results in other Pressure Cooker Lawsuits and similar injuries caused by other products and accidents.

These estimations are by no means a guarantee of financial compensation for your Pressure Cooker Lawsuit.

Contact an experienced Pressure Cooker Lawyer from TorHoerman Law for a free consultation and a discussion of your legal options.

Historic Pressure Cooker Lawsuits Settlements and Verdicts

In recent years, pressure cooker lawsuits have resulted in numerous settlements and verdicts.

A few of the most notable pressure cooker lawsuit settlements and verdicts include the following.

Defective Pressure Cooker Severely Burns Toddler: $27 Million Verdict

In November 2018, toddler Samantha Gonzalez and her family received a $27 million verdict in their defective pressure cooker lawsuit against Lifetime Brands.

In 2015, grandmother Caridad Fernandez Reinaldo gave then-two-year-old Samantha a bath in the sink while making chicken soup in a Vasconia pressure cooker.

The family’s faulty pressure cooker overflowed and sprayed hot soup onto Samantha, causing her to suffer second and third-degree burns over 60% of her body.

While authorities declared that the Vasconia pressure cooker wasn’t defective, Samantha’s pressure cooker lawyers discovered that the appliance’s pressure valve activated by mistake and that there was an issue with the locking system of old models.

Confidential Settlement Reached in Case Involving Severe Burn Injuries

Kohl’s Department Stores Inc. paid victim Bridget Iovino a confidential settlement in November 2018 after her Elite Bistro pressure cooker exploded, leaving her to endure second and third-degree burns.

50-year-old Bridget was using her Elite Bistro pressure cooker to make chicken broth the same way she had done a few times before.

She noticed an unusual amount of steam coming from the cooker, but before she could do anything, the pressure cooker exploded, burning her body with scalding liquid.

Bridget and her husband, Gene Iovino, sued Kohl’s and manufacturer Maxi-Matic USA Inc. for negligence, breach of express warranty, failure to warn, strict liability, and loss of consortium in September 2015, resulting in a confidential settlement.

Defective Pressure Cooker Severely Burns Child

In 2022, an unnamed Georgia mother and her young child settled with Instant Brands, Inc. for an undisclosed amount after their defective Instant Pot pressure cooker exploded.

The faulty lid lock on their Instant Pot IP-DUO 60 V2 caused the pressure cooker’s lid to fly off, leaving the child severely burned.

During the pressure cooker litigation, both parties went back and forth before they could settle.

The plaintiff demanded Instant Brands, Inc. provide evidence of similar incidents where their pressure cooker’s lid malfunctioned, but the manufacturer argued to provide evidence only for the specific model unit for two years before the incident.

After several delays, Instant Brands, Inc. agreed to settle the case and pay the injured child monthly compensation once she turns 18 and a final lump sum payment when she turns 22.

They will also shoulder legal fees for the family. This case is one of many Instant Pot lawsuits filed against the company.

What Are the Causes of a Pressure Cooker Explosion?

Pressure cooker manufacturers must design, produce, and market safe products.

Most pressure cookers have safety mechanisms to reduce the risks of explosions, such as lid-locking systems, thermal sensors, and pressure valves.

However, some manufacturers fail to meet minimum safety standards or neglect to use appropriate materials for specific components, leading them to sell pressure cookers that are a safety hazard.

Common causes of pressure cooker explosions include:

• Faulty lid-locking system
• Defective steam release valves
• Faulty gaskets
• Poorly designed pressure cookers
• Defective part materials
• Inadequate safety warnings and instructions
• Error in the manufacturing process

When manufacturers fail to use safe, quality materials, neglect to include sufficient safety precautions in their products, or if their products have faulty safety features, they can be held liable for damages or injuries.

Recalls for Defective Pressure Cookers and Instant Pots

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued multiple recalls for defective pressure cooker brands over the years.

They found these products to be unsafe due to several issues:

• Instant Pot pressure cooker: The CPSC recalled 1000 Instant Pot pressure cookers in 2015 because of a problem in the thermal probe that caused an electrical shock. They issued another recall for 104,000 defective Instant Pot units in 2018 after Instant Brands, Inc. received 107 complaints of fire hazards and minor property damage.
• Crock Pot pressure cooker: In 2020, the CPSC recalled 914,430 Crock Pot pressure cookers after Sunbeam Products, Inc. received 119 reports of lid detachment, including 99 counts of substantial burn injuries.

The CPSC has not yet recalled several pressure cooker brands that are facing various lawsuits.

Pressure cookers named in lawsuits that have not been recalled include, but are not limited to:

• Tristar Power pressure cooker
• Cuisinart pressure cooker
• Ninja Foodi pressure cooker

Potential Injuries From Pressure Cooker Explosions

Press cooker explosions can lead to numerous severe injuries.

When hot food, water, or steam over the boiling point blasts out or built-up pressure causes the pressure cooker to explode, anyone nearby can suffer a range of injuries.

Common pressure cooker-related injuries include:

• Severe burns
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lacerations
• Contusions or bruises
• Concussion
• Partial or total blindness
• Loss of hearing
• Broken bones or fractures
• Lung damage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

These injuries can be costly for victims, both financially and emotionally.

However, with the help of a qualified personal injury attorney, pressure cooker explosion survivors may be able to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Medical Treatments You May Have To Undergo if You’re Injured

If you suffer injuries from a pressure cooker explosion, various treatments and therapies are available to help you recover.

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may have to undergo any of the following medical procedures:

• Skin grafts or reconstruction surgery: In the case of serious burn injuries, reconstructive surgery may be necessary. This can involve skin grafting — taking healthy skin from another part of your body and transplanting it to the affected area.
• Skin debridement: To repair burned skin, the doctor may use wet or dry techniques to remove dead and damaged tissue from the wound.
• Physical therapy: In some cases, doctors may recommend physical therapy to help you regain strength and mobility in the injured parts of your body.
• Psychotherapy: Psychological counseling can help those who suffer emotional trauma from a pressure cooker explosion. Victims must seek professional help to cope with the psychological problems that may arise from such a traumatic experience.

If a defective pressure cooker is the cause of your injuries, you must seek medical help immediately.

A healthcare professional can determine the best medical treatment for your condition.

What To Do if a Defective Pressure Cooker Explodes and Injures You

If you are injured in a pressure cooker explosion, there are a few crucial steps to take in order to protect your health and also protect your legal rights to file a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit.

These steps include the following:

Seek Medical Attention

Your safety and health must be your top priority.

Be sure to seek medical help from a qualified healthcare professional immediately. A doctor can assess your condition and provide the best medical treatment to help you recover.

Collect Evidence

If you have proof that a defective pressure cooker caused your injuries, keep it.

This includes the broken pieces of the pressure cooker and any other materials related to the accident.

Take pictures and videos of the scene and your injuries, save medical records and bills, and talk to witnesses who may have seen the incident.

Contact an Attorney

Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get compensation for your injuries caused by a faulty pressure cooker.

At TorHoerman Law, we understand the challenges of defective product cases and are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

We will review your claim, gather strong evidence, and advise you on the best legal action.

Filing A Defective Pressure Cooker 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.

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 Lawyers

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or severe burns after your pressure cooker exploded, you may be eligible to file a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case consultation.

You can also use our chatbot to receive a free, instant online case evaluation and find out if you qualify for a Defective Pressure Cooker Lawsuit today.

TorHoerman Law has a team of experienced product liability attorneys ready to serve you.

To date, our firm has won more than $4 billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements for our clients.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, so we are always committed to getting the best results possible for our clients.