Breville Fast Slow Cooker Lawsuit Attorney

Breville Pressure Cooker Recall

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in December 2015, they were issued a recall notice [1] for more than 35,600 Breville Pressure Cookers over a risk of a Breville slow cooker explosion due to a potentially defective pressure release valve.

Breville received at least 5 reports of people who suffered burns — including 2nd-degree burns to the hands, arms, or stomach — as well as 5 reports of steam or scalding hot contents exploding out of the Fast Slow Cooker due to built-up pressure.

The problem with the recalled pressure cookers appears to be a faulty lid sealing gasket:

The sealing gasket can be incorrectly inserted upside down on the locked on lid which can allow the unexpected release of built-up air from the cookers. This poses a risk of hot food exploding on the user or consumers nearby. Said the CPSC.

The recall affects fast and slow cookers with model number BPR600XL and batch numbers between 1235 and 1529. Breville Fast Slow Cookers were sold from September 2012 through October 2015 for around $180 at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Macy’s, Sur la Table, Williams Sonoma, Amazon.com, and BrevilleUSA.com.

Related Article: Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Update

Exploding Pressure Cooker Injuries

When it comes to injuries caused by exploding pressure cookers, the severity can vary significantly. Below is an injury severity scale that categorizes the risks associated with such incidents, helping to understand the potential impact on victims.

Severe Risks

• Second/Third-Degree Burns: These severe burns can damage multiple layers of skin, leading to intense pain, potential infections, and long-term complications.
• Facial/Eye Injuries: Injuries to the face or eyes can result in permanent damage, including loss of vision or disfigurement.
• Permanent Scarring: Severe burns and injuries may lead to lasting scars that require reconstructive surgery and can significantly affect a person’s quality of life.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force, such as a blow or jolt to the head, disrupts normal brain function.

Moderate Risks

• First-Degree Burns: These burns affect only the outer layer of skin, causing redness and pain but typically heal without medical intervention.
• Steam Burns: Burns caused by hot steam can be painful and may require medical treatment depending on their severity.
• Kitchen Damage: Explosions can cause significant damage to kitchen appliances and surfaces, leading to costly repairs.

Potential Risks

• Minor Scalding: Less severe burns that may cause discomfort but generally heal quickly.
• Surface Burns: These are typically mild burns affecting only the outer skin layer.
• Property Damage: Beyond physical injuries, explosions can lead to property damage, resulting in financial losses for the homeowner.

Victims of such accidents should seek immediate medical attention for any injuries sustained and consider legal representation if they are affected by product defects. Proper documentation of injuries and damages will be essential for any potential claims related to these incidents.

Hot Contents from Exploding Pressure Cookers Cause Horrific Injuries

As claimed by the Kidspot Organization, in September 2016, a woman suffered horrific burns over 10% of her body when her Breville Fast Slow Cooker exploded [2]. Boiling-hot water and sticky foods were ejected, causing 2nd-degree burns and blisters all over her arms, neck, and shoulder.

Despite the pain, she drove herself to Cairns Base Hospital. She was hospitalized for 5 days, as doctors feared she would develop infections from the burns.

After going home, the woman investigated the Breville Fast Slow Cooker (batch number BPR200) and discovered that it had been recalled in 2015. She never knew that Breville recalled the fast and slow pressure cookers, although she registered her address when she bought the pressure cooker in 2013.

It was strange I always do an update when we buy a new product, I registered it online, I thought Myer or Breville would have sent a letter or called up, I didn’t get anything and only found out after I was burned, the woman said.

Breville Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Filed in Tennessee

In June 2023, a lawsuit was filed against Breville Inc. by a Tennessee resident who suffered burns from an exploding Fast Slow Pressure Cooker upon opening the lid, according to the lawsuit [3].

The plaintiff, identified as Hannah F., alleges that she sustained injuries from a defective Breville Fast Slow Pressure Cooker (Model BPR600XL).

According to her account, on June 5, 2022, she was utilizing the pressure cooker to prepare a roast. Upon completion of the cooking cycle, she waited for several minutes for the steam to dissipate.

Assuming it was safe, she proceeded to open the lid, only to have it explode, causing burns to her abdomen. She described the incident as follows: “The pressure cooker’s lid blew off with extreme force. As it exploded, the pressure cooker sprayed super-heated liquid and steam across [her] body.”

Despite Breville Inc.’s purported safety features, she asserts that the lid was easily removable while a hazardous amount of steam remained trapped within the pressure cooker’s pot.

Furthermore, she contends that Breville has continued to market defective pressure cookers despite other reported incidents of exploding pressure cookers attributed to identical design and manufacturing flaws.

BREVILLE ignored and/or concealed their knowledge of these defects in its PRESSURE COOKER from HANNAH FRAZIER, as well as the public in general, in order to continue generating a profit from the sale of the PRESSURE COOKER, the complaint states. 

The lawsuit against Breville Inc. was officially filed on June 1, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville Division), under Case Number 3:23-cv-00563.

Breville Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Filed in Georgia

In December 2020, a lawsuit was filed against Breville USA Inc. by Todd J., a man from Georgia who a Breville Fast-Slow Pressure Cooker seriously burned in January 2018.

He claims he could open the lid when the pressure cooker was still under pressure, which caused its “scalding hot contents to be forcefully ejected.” He accuses Breville of selling pressure cookers with defective safety features that fail to lock the lid until all of the pressure is released.

The lawsuit was filed on December 30, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Columbus Division) — Case Number 4:20-cv-00313-CDL.

NEISS Pressure Cooker Statistics

Based on data provided by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), the demographic profile of pressure cooker users skews towards individuals over 30.

Analysis reveals that 46 percent of reported injuries involve individuals aged between 30 and 50, while 10 percent pertain to those aged between 51 and 70. Notably, in cases involving individuals under 21, 25 percent of incidents indicate parental or guardian involvement in operating the pressure cooker.

An examination of 39 sampled instances of pressure cooker-related emergency room visits documented by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System in 2008 unveils that only eight cases pertained to individuals under 32.

Among the injured, 17 experienced incidents where the pressure cooker either exploded or released scalding liquids from the cooking pot, leading to burn injuries.

The remaining 22 individuals sustained contact burns or steam burns through direct interaction with the pressure cooker, accidental spills of hot liquids, or exposure to emitted vapor.

Essential Guide: How to Preserve Key Evidence for Your Product Liability Case

When preparing for a product liability case, safeguarding evidence is crucial.

Follow these steps to ensure you have everything needed:

• Immediate Actions:
  Start by photographing the product from various angles, capturing clear shots of any damage.
  • Document important details like model and batch numbers.
  • Save your purchase receipt and take detailed photos of any injuries.
  • Keep the damaged unit itself and, if possible, gather statements from witnesses to strengthen your case.
• Medical Documentation:
  Comprehensive medical records are essential for supporting injury claims.
  • Gather emergency room and hospital records, specialist reports, treatment plans, and all associated medical bills.
  • Note a recovery timeline to outline the full scope of treatment and impact.

Collecting this evidence creates a solid foundation for your case, showcasing the product’s impact on your health and the damages incurred.

FAQs

What compensation might be available through the Breville Fast Slow Cooker Lawsuit?

Compensation may cover medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. Settlement amounts vary based on the severity of the injuries and the evidence presented.

How can individuals prove that a Breville Fast Slow Cooker caused their injuries?

Proof can include medical records documenting the injuries, purchase receipts, photographs of the defective cooker and the injuries, and expert testimony linking the defect to the injuries sustained.

What steps should I take if I am injured by a Breville Fast Slow Cooker?

Seek immediate medical attention, preserve the pressure cooker and any related evidence, document your injuries, and consult with an attorney specializing in product liability cases.

Related Articles:

• Bene Casa Pressure Cooker Lawsuit
• Chef Di Cucina Litigation
• Cook’s Essentials Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuit

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

Get a Free Breville Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of jury trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Breville Pressure Cooker Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new severe injury cases in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Breville Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuit Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one suffered severe burns or other serious injuries caused by a Breville Fast Slow Pressure Cooker, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Breville Fast Slow Cooker Explosion Lawsuit and our law firm can help.

References:

1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/Breville-Recalls-Pressure-Cookers
2. https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/mum-left-with-second-degree-burns-after-pressure-cooker-explosion/news-story/f60bd8faead172d5f90457a52814865f
3. https://www.schmidtandclark.com/wp-content/uploads/breville-fast-slow-pressure-cooker-lawsuit-tennessee-1.pdf