3 Squares Tim3 Machin3 Cooker Lawsuit Update: Injuries, Recall Status, and Legal Options

The 3 Squares Tim3 Machin3 and Mini Tim3 Machin3 rice and slow cookers were recalled in the United States and Canada on October 18, 2016. Regulators warned that the cookers could short, start a fire or cause an electric shock. Sherwood Marketing LLC of San Diego, California, imported and distributed them. About 175,000 units went on sale in the US. Consumers were told to stop using the cookers immediately. No consumer lawsuit, class action or MDL names these cookers. If a cooker harmed you or your home, keep the cooker, its side label and your receipt, and do not throw them away or repair them.

Latest 3 Squares Tim3 Machin3 Cooker Lawsuit Updates

October 21, 2016: Intertek Publishes Recall Notice

Intertek published public notice 16-32 on the voluntary recall of 3 Squares rice cookers in both countries [1]. It names Sherwood Marketing LLC as the importer.

October 18, 2016: Health Canada Posts Joint Recall

Health Canada posted recall RA-60610 as a joint recall with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Sherwood Marketing [2]. The recall started that day.

Who May Be Affected?

You may be affected if you own or used a 3 Squares Tim3 Machin3 or Mini Tim3 Machin3 cooker. The recall covers the 20-cup, 4-quart models with a fixed power cord. The recalled model numbers start with 3RC and end in 3010S, 3020S, 3434, 5020 or 9010S. The model number is printed on a label on the side of the cooker. US sales ran from December 2015 to July 2016. Canadian sales ran until August 2016. Qualification for any claim depends on an individual legal review of your facts.

Reported Injuries or Damages

Sherwood Marketing reported three incidents of a cooker sparking and turning itself on. One shock injury was also reported, according to News4JAX [3]. Reports are not proof that a cooker caused every incident. Health Canada says neither it nor Sherwood Marketing LLC has received any reports of consumer incidents or injuries in Canada. The Health Canada notice says: “Improperly installed wiring can cause electrical shorting in the rice/slow cooker unit, posing fire and electric shock hazards.” This is a regulator statement. No court has made a finding, and no court has been asked to decide any injury from these cookers.

Recall and Regulatory Background

Health Canada recall RA-60610 lists a fire hazard. About 96 units were sold in Canada. Health Canada’s 2016 notice told consumers to contact Sherwood Marketing LLC for a replacement. The company number is 1-800-390-0249, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday. A recall does not prove liability.

Evidence to Preserve

If a cooker injured you or your home, keep these items safe:

• The cooker itself and its side label with the model number
• The receipt, order confirmation or card statement showing where and when you bought it
• Photographs or video of the cooker, its cord, the outlet and any burn, scorch or fire damage
• Medical records and bills for any shock injury or burn
• Repair, insurance and fire-department reports
• Messages with Sherwood Marketing, the seller or your insurer

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines for injury or property-damage claims come from state law and depend on where you live and when the injury or damage happened. Missing a deadline can end a claim even when the facts are strong, so speak with a lawyer promptly about your own dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do the Recalled 3 Squares Cookers Look Like?

The recalled 3 Squares cookers look like stainless steel units with black molded plastic. They have a control panel and keypad on the front, and the 3 Squares logo is printed on the front of the control panel.

Where Were the Recalled 3 Squares Cookers Sold?

Recalled 3 Squares cookers were sold at various retail stores and online retailers, according to the Intertek notice. Check your receipt or order confirmation for the seller and the purchase date.

Who Made the Recalled 3 Squares Cookers?

The recalled 3 Squares cookers were made in China by Zhongshan Leeper Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd., according to the Health Canada recall notice. The maker built them from November 2015 until June 2016.

What Does the Research Say About the 3 Squares Cooker Hazard?

The key source on the 3 Squares cooker hazard is Health Canada’s recall notice. It is a regulator statement and no medical study, and neither it nor the Intertek notice cites any research.

How Do I Report a Problem with a 3 Squares Cooker in Canada?

You report a problem with a 3 Squares cooker in Canada through the Consumer Product Incident Report Form. Health Canada asks Canadians to use it for incidents with these cookers.

References

1. https://www.intertek.com/siteassets/resources/pn/2016/pn-16-32-sherwood-3squares-rice-cooker-102116.pdf
2. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/sherwood-marketing-llc-recalls-3-squares-rice-and-slow-cookers
3. https://www.news4jax.com/consumer/2016/10/18/rice-slow-cookers-recalled-for-fire-shock-hazard