ALDI Crofton Chef’s Collection Lawsuit Attorney

Aldi has issued a recall for its “CROFTON” Chef’s Collection saucepan 6L Pressure Cooker due to worries that an inherently faulty lid could lead to serious burns and scalding injuries for its users.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one suffered a severe burn or other injury caused by an exploding pressure cooker, whether or not the pressure cooker has been recalled, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and our lawyers can help.

Update: Texas Woman Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Makers of Wolfgang Puck Pressure Cooker

August 23, 2017 - A woman from Texas who claims she was severely burned by a defective Wolfgang Puck Automatic Rapid Pressure Cooker has filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers [1]. Plaintiff Tabitha W. claims she was using the appliance as directed when it exploded at the end of its cooking cycle, causing second and third-degree burns after boiling gumbo shot onto her skin.

What’s the Problem?

August 7, 2017 - According to Aldi, pressure cookers affected by the recall may have a defective locking mechanism which causes the lid to detach while cooking [2].

If this happens, there is a risk of scalding to the user, the company said. ALDI takes product quality and safety very seriously, and wish to advise all customers of a recall.

Recalled Crofton pressure cookers can be identified by the year “2017” printed on the base plate. No other pressure cooker models are affected by this recall, according to Aldi.

The cookers were supplied by H&H Asia Ltd and sold in Aldi stores across the U.S. and overseas between June 28 and July 21, 2017. If you purchased one, stop using it and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

To date, no burn injuries or other incidents have been reported, Aldi said.

Also Read: Philippe Richards Pressure Cooker

Why Do Pressure Cookers Explode?

Pressure cookers, sometimes called “multi-pots”, “one-pots”, “instant pots or instants”, and “crock pots” are used by kitchen novices and professionals alike due to their ability to both heat and cook food, saving time and cleanup. Pressure cookers work by trapping heat in a pot with a secure lid to prevent steam from escaping. This not only warms up the food but cooks it at an even temperature.

Electric pressure cookers come with features such as a timer, temperature gauge, and food-specific settings and some even have Bluetooth technology. Stovetop pressure cookers require the user to monitor the temperature manually. Both manual and electric versions feature a safety valve to release the pressure before opening the lid.

When a liquid under extreme pressure is suddenly depressurized, the gases it contains rapidly expand. They can ‘explode’ out of the pot with catastrophic results for those nearby. This is not an actual explosion that results from combustion, but the rapid — nearly instantaneous — expansion of gases.

General Pressure Cooker Statistics:

According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, the majority of pressure cooker users are over the age of 30, with 46% of injured parties between the ages of 30 and 50, and 10% between 51 and 70. In 2008, of 39 sampled cases of pressure cooker-associated emergency room visits, 17 involved injuries where the pressure cooker either exploded or liquids burst from the pot, causing burns. The remaining 22 involved contact burns or steam burns.

There have been several recalls of pressure cookers in recent years due to safety concerns, including:

• FagorSplendid Chef: Over 400,000 were recalled from 2007-2015, with more than 70 burn injuries reported.
• Tristar Pressure Cooker: Recall of 145,000 units in 2012 due to lid detachments caused by excess pressure buildup, resulting in 29 reports of injuries.
• Power Pressure Cooker XL: Recall nearly 1 million cookers in 2018 due to explosion and malfunction complaints.
• Instant Pot Gem 65: Some batches were recalled in 2018 for potential fire risk from overheating.
• Crock-Pot Express Crock: 2019 recall of 119,000 units following 99 incidents of the lid detaching violently.

Pressure Cooker Injuries

Our lawyers are reviewing potential exploding pressure cooker lawsuits for people who suffered the following injuries:

• Serious burns
• Hot steam burns
• Second-degree burns
• Third-degree burns
• Second and third-degree burns
• Eye injuries and blindness
• Traumatic brain injuries (concussion)
• Scalds
• Permanent scarring
• Disfigurement
• Kitchen and/or property damage

Power Pressure Cooker Settlement

A class action settlement is now providing owners of allegedly defective Tristar power pressure cookers with warranty extensions and credits toward purchases of new products. However, if you or someone you know has been injured by one of these appliances, you need to opt out of this class action settlement now and contact our law firm immediately.

The settlement does not provide compensation for your injuries, and if you fail to opt out by June 4, 2018, you may lose your eligibility to pursue compensation-seeking damages. Contact our lawyers now to learn more.

What are Pressure Cooker Lawsuits Alleging?

If a Crofton Chef's Collection pressure cooker fails, the lid may explode off while the contents are still under high pressure. This can cause hot contents to forcefully blow up in the face of consumers, or spray scalding liquids in the kitchen.

While most reports of pressure cooking accidents involve individuals hurt when they mistakenly thought it was safe to remove the lid, some products were sold with defective components that failed to properly seal the lid or allowed excessive pressure to build up in the cooker.

According to allegations raised in lawsuits, pressure cooker lids should never be able to come off until all steam and pressure have been released, and manufacturers failed to protect consumers from the affected product.

Burn Injury Classifications

According to the Stanford Medicine 2023 study, when considering a pressure cooker lawsuit, understanding burn classifications is crucial. Burns are categorized into first-, second-, or third-degree, based on their depth and severity [3].

• First-degree (superficial) burns: These affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), resulting in redness, pain, and dryness, without blisters. Sunburns are typical examples, with rare long-term tissue damage such as skin color changes.
• Second-degree (partial thickness) burns: These affect both the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. They appear red, blistered, swollen, and painful.
• Third-degree (full thickness) burns: These are the most severe, destroying both the epidermis and dermis and potentially damaging deeper tissues like bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site typically appears white or charred, with no sensation due to nerve-ending destruction.

Major injuries, such as burns affecting 10% of a child's body or 15 to 20% of an adult's body, necessitate hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation. Understanding these classifications is crucial when pursuing legal action related to pressure cooker incidents.

FAQs

What are the safety standards for pressure cookers, and how do they apply to Crofton products?

Safety standards for pressure cookers include proper sealing mechanisms, lid locks, and pressure release valves to prevent accidents. Failure to meet these standards can be grounds for liability.

What role do recalls play in pressure cooker lawsuits?

If a product recall has been issued for a Crofton pressure cooker model, it can support claims of a known defect. Recall information can provide evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the issue.

Can I file a lawsuit if my pressure cooker injury occurred years ago?

It depends on the statute of limitations in your state. Consulting with an attorney promptly is essential to determine if you are still within the legal timeframe to file a lawsuit.

Related Articles:

• Instant Pot Explosion Lawsuit
• Cuisinart Pressure Cooker Class Action Lawsuit
• Maxi-Matic Pressure Cooker Suit

See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get a Free Crofton Pressure Cooker Recall Lawsuit Evaluation with our Lawyers

The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in pressure cooker lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new burn and scald injury cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one suffered a severe burn or other injury caused by an exploding pressure cooker, whether or not the pressure cooker has been recalled, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

References:

1. https://www.schmidtandclark.com/wp-content/uploads/Wolfgang-Puck-Pressure-Cooker-Lawsuit-Tate.pdf
2. https://www.aldi.com.au/fileadmin/fm-dam/images/Product_Recalls
3. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/burns/stages.html