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Table Of Contents
- URGENT: Nationwide Recall of 943,000 CrockPot Pressure Cookers
- What is a Crock Pot Pressure Cooker?
- Crock Pot Recall Prompts Lawsuits
- Crock Pot Injuries
- OSHA Pressure Cooker Injury Statistics
- General Pressure Cooker Statistics:
- Sunbeam Class Action Alleges Crock Pot Pressure Cooker Explosion
- FAQs
- Get a Free Crock Pot Pressure Cooker Recall Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
URGENT: Nationwide Recall of 943,000 CrockPot Pressure Cookers
- 99+ Severe Burn Injuries Reported
- 119 Explosion Incidents Documented
- Affects Models Sold 2017-2020
- Defective Lid Lock System Identified
Our lawyers are actively filing product liability lawsuits against Sunbeam Products and Newell Brands on behalf of individuals who suffered severe burns caused by faulty CrockPot Pressure Cookers.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for accountability and justice for those injured by these defective products.
What is a Crock Pot Pressure Cooker?
Sunbeam Products Inc., part of the Newell Brands conglomerate, manufactures the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker. Crock Pot Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers plug into the wall and cook food with a heating element built into the pot, unlike traditional stovetop pressure cookers.
The Crockpot Pressure Cookers are advertised as having “safety features,” such as a locking lid that is not supposed to open until all of the pressure in the pot is released.
This lid and other safety mechanisms are supposed to prevent dangerous explosions of scalding hot contents that frightened many consumers away from buying non-electric stovetop pressure cookers.
Crock Pot Recall Prompts Lawsuits
As claimed by the CPSC, Sunbeam Products in Nov. 2020 issued a nationwide recall for about 943,000 Crock-Pot Electric Pressure Cookers after reports of at least 99 burn injuries ranging from 1st-degree to 3rd-degree burns [1].
There were 119 reports of pressure cooker explosions due to design defects, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
The recalled Crock-Pot multi-cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the product is in use, posing burn risks, severe thermal burns and substantial burn injuries to consumers from hot food and liquids ejected from the product. CPSC said.
The Crock-Pot recall includes instant brands Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers (Model Number SCCPPC600-V1), printed on a label on the bottom of the pressure cooker.
These popular instant pot pressure cookers brands were sold with defective safety features from July 2017 through November 2020 at Walmart, Target, other stores, online at Amazon, and other online retailers for $70-$100.
Related Article: Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Update
Crock Pot Injuries
Critical Injuries (Emergency Care Required)
These injuries often necessitate immediate medical attention due to their severity:
- Third-Degree Burns: These burns penetrate all layers of the skin and can cause extensive damage to underlying tissues. They may require surgical intervention, such as skin grafts, and can lead to significant scarring and disability.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: In cases where a Crock Pot falls or is mishandled, individuals may experience head trauma. This can result in concussions or more severe brain injuries requiring emergency medical care.
- Eye Injuries/Blindness: Hot steam or splashes from a Crock Pot can cause serious eye injuries. If not treated immediately, chemical burns or scalding liquids can lead to permanent vision loss.
Severe Injuries (Medical Treatment Needed)
These injuries typically require medical evaluation and treatment but may not be life-threatening:
- Second-Degree Burns: These burns affect the outer layer (epidermis) and the skin’s underlying layer (dermis). They can be painful and blistering and may require medical treatment such as wound care or pain management.
- Permanent Scarring: Injuries from burns or scalds can lead to lasting scars that may require cosmetic procedures for improvement.
- Steam Burns: Burns caused by hot steam escaping from a Crock Pot can result in severe skin damage. Treatment may include cooling the burn area and applying specialized dressings.
Other Documented Injuries
In addition to burn-related injuries, other types of harm can occur:
- Scalds: These are specific types of burns caused by hot liquids. Scalding injuries often occur when handling a Crock Pot immediately after cooking.
- Disfigurement: Serious burns or injuries may result in disfigurement, impacting an individual’s physical appearance and potentially leading to psychological effects.
- Emergency Medical Treatment: Many injuries may require urgent care, including hospital visits for pain management, wound care, or surgical interventions.
Suppose you have experienced any of these injuries due to a malfunctioning or improperly used Crock Pot. In that case, it is advisable to seek medical attention and consult with an attorney to explore your options for compensation.
OSHA Pressure Cooker Injury Statistics
The following table provides a detailed overview of OSHA-documented pressure cooker incidents, offering insights into injury types, severity, and associated costs.
These cases underscore the importance of workplace safety and proper equipment handling in preventing severe injuries.
| Incident Type | Event Description | Severity Rating | Cost of Damages | Event Date | NAICS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burn from Hot Oil | Employee’s body is burned with hot oil | Severe | $15,000 | 07/04/2009 | 722211 |
| Steam Kettle Burns | Employee is burned by steam kettle | Moderate | $8,000 | 11/22/2008 | 923110 |
| Hot Oil Pressure Cooker | Employee burned by hot oil from pressure cooker | Severe | $25,000 | 01/08/2005 | 445120 |
| Steam & Hot Milk Products | Employee burned by steam and hot milk products | Severe | $18,000 | 10/21/2004 | 311511 |
| Hot Cooking Oil Splash | Three employees burned by hot cooking oil | Severe | $40,000 | 07/26/2002 | N/A |
| Burn from Pressure Fryer | Employee injured when burned by pressure fryer | Severe | $12,000 | 06/05/1999 | N/A |
| Hot Grease Splash | Employees splashed and burned by hot grease | Severe | $10,000 | 01/13/1986 | N/A |
| Burn from Cleaning Cooker | Worker burned while cleaning pressure cooker | Moderate | $7,500 | 04/05/2013 | 115115 |
| Hot Tortilla Press Burn | Jammed tortilla press burns employee’s right hand | Moderate | $6,000 | 02/15/2012 | 445110 |
Key Trends & Insights
- Injury Types:
- Burns from hot oil (6 incidents) and steam (2 incidents) are the most common.
- Explosions or equipment malfunctions account for the most severe incidents.
2. Severity Ratings:
- Most incidents are classified as “severe,” requiring hospitalization or causing long-term damage.
- Moderate cases often involve minor burns or injuries resolved within a short time.
3. Cost of Damages:
- Damages range from $6,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity and extent of the incident.
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) [2].
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 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.
Sunbeam Class Action Alleges Crock Pot Pressure Cooker Explosion
According to the lawsuit, Sunbeam Products has been hit with a class action by consumers who claim that their pressure cooker exploded because of a design defect [3].
Lead plaintiff Kimberly Rife claims that in January 2018, she was given the Sunbeam Pressure Cooker as a gift and used it to prepare chicken and rice soup for her family.
Rife alleges that she read the instructions and, despite following them and using the safety features, suffered severe burns and other burn injuries from the instant pot.
Plaintiff states that after the process of cooking was complete, she released pressure from the steam release valve and pressed the stop button on the lid when the steam stopped.
“When she twisted open the lid, the pot exploded with the liquid inside, spraying her hand, wrist, and stomach, and her surrounding kitchen area,” the Crock-Pot class action lawsuit states.
The plaintiff claims that she suffered injuries including first- and second-degree burns on her hand, wrist, and stomach. She says she still has scarring from the incident with the Crock-Pot lid.
The Crock-Pot class action lawsuit alleges that the Pressure Cooker generates extreme heat and steam during routine operation, but the defect occurs when the pressure build-up inside the product causes the hot contents to “burst and erupt” from the product when the consumer opens up the lid.
The plaintiff further states that the Pressure Cooker at issue includes “all Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker models sold by Sunbeam, including without limitation, Model Number SCCPPC600-V1.”
The Crock-Pot class action lawsuit states that the defendant should have known about the defect and did not warn consumers of the safety risk that was created by the defect, and further, did not recall the “dangerously defective” Pressure Cooker despite the risk of injury to consumers.
The Crock-Pot class action lawsuit also mentions similar experiences that consumers have had with the Pressure Cooker. For example, one customer reportedly said that his product’s top “blew off send[ing] scolding water everywhere and leaving [him] with second-degree burns on [his] shoulder and neck. The lawsuit stated.
Other consumers have reported injuries and property damage after using the Pressure Cooker, the plaintiffs allege. Comments were even posted on the defendant’s website.
The plaintiffs claim that Sunbeam did not adequately design or manufacture the Pressure Cooker to make sure that it did not have a defect before they put the product up for sale. In addition, the class action lawsuit states that the defect is a “serious and immediate safety risk” to the public.
Also, the plaintiffs note that even though the defendant knew, or should have known, about the defect, the company chose to conceal that the defect existed and should have removed the item from the marketplace.
“As a result of Defendant’s concealment of the Defect, many Class members remain unaware of the existence of the Defect, and that it poses an unreasonable risk of personal injury and/or property damage during normal use,” the Crock-Pot class action lawsuit states.
The Crock-Pot Pressure Cooker Design Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Kimberly Rife, et al. v. Sunbeam Products Inc., Case No. 9:20-cv-80021, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
FAQs
What are the initial steps an attorney will take in a Crock-Pot pressure cooker lawsuit?
An attorney will typically start by reviewing your case details, gathering evidence, consulting with experts, and assessing the validity of your claim. They will then file the necessary legal documents and begin the negotiation or litigation process to seek compensation.
What are the common causes of pressure cooker accidents?
Common causes include manufacturing defects, design flaws, failure to adhere to safety standards, and user error due to inadequate instructions or warnings. These factors can lead to pressure buildup, faulty seals, and sudden explosions.
How do settlements work in Crock-Pot pressure cooker lawsuits?
Settlements involve negotiations between your attorney and the defendant’s representatives. If an agreement is reached, you receive compensation without going to trial. Settlements can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, providing a quicker resolution than a court trial.
Related Articles:
See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
Get a Free Crock Pot Pressure Cooker Recall 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 Crock Pot Pressure Cooker Lawsuits.
We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently representing consumers in pressure cooker explosion cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Crock Pot Pressure Cooker Recall Lawsuit Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one suffered serious burns or other serious injuries caused by a defective pressure cooker, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free review of your legal rights and potential case. You may be entitled to a pressure cooker settlement and a lawyer can help.
References:
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Crock-Pot-6-Quart-Express-Crock-Multi-Cookers-Recalled-by-Sunbeam-Products-Due-to-Burn-Hazard
- https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/AccidentSearch.search?acc_keyword=%22Cooker–Pressure%22&keyword_list=on
- https://www.schmidtandclark.com/wp-content/uploads/Power-Pressure-Cooker-Lawsuit-Zolen-Complaint.pdf
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