Published by Pressure cookers are a popular kitchen device that uses pressurized hot steam to cook food quickly and efficiently, keeping it moist and tender. The pot has an airtight seal, and when you turn up the heat, steam increases both the internal air pressure and temperature really quickly, enabling the pressure cooker to cook food faster than boiling it normally.
Preventing accidents and injuries necessitates safety mechanisms in pressure cookers. When it comes to product liability, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe so that if someone encounters a defective item, they can take legal action.
The doctrine of strict liability means that companies or manufacturers can be held liable for their products’ flaws, even if they had no intention or knowledge of them.
If you or a family member has experienced pressure cooker injuries, the committed team at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, stands ready to offer support. As a well-regarded national law firm specializing in cases on behalf of plaintiffs, our foremost objective is to ensure that you obtain the justice and rightful compensation you are entitled to.
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Hawaii Pressure Cooker Injury Lawsuits
In Hawaii, pressure cooker lawsuits involve various law firms and legal actions. Some notable cases include:
- Johnson Becker, PLLC is the law firm involved in the Instant Pot lawsuit.
- Banville Law is filing individual personal injury lawsuits on behalf of injured consumers.
- McGee v. Instant Brands, Inc., Docket No. 2:23-cv-00321, is a case in the Northern District of California (N.D.).
- On January 3, 2023, a lawsuit was filed against Instant Brands involving their Duo Nova 80 pressure cooker.
- The case known as Randall v. SharkNinja will come to court on March 14, 2023, where the plaintiff suffered severe, disfiguring burns.
In 2022, around 5,826 product liability cases were litigated in federal district courts, highlighting the importance of product safety standards and the need for manufacturers to be vigilant in ensuring their products meet those standards [1].
These lawsuits often involve plaintiffs who have endured second and third-degree burns from pressure cookers’ lids that opened while the food was still under pressure or from scalding contents that spilled after the pressure cooker exploded.
The California court gave a default judgment in favor of the injured man, awarding him over $259,000, and the plaintiff is looking for compensatory damages for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional distress, reduced enjoyment of life, and other damages.
Remember, any future pressure cooker class action filed about pressure cookers would seek refunds for faulty cookers, not personal injury compensation.
Which Pressure Cooker Brands Are Named in The Lawsuits?
Pressure cookers that are named in the lawsuits include Tristar Products’ Power Pressure Cooker XL, Instant Pot Pressure Cookers, Elite Bistro Pressure Cooker, Bella and Casa Maria, and Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp Pressure Cooker.
The defendants often tout their pressure cookers as having numerous safety features to keep users safe while cooking.
Other notable lawsuits include Maxi-Matic being sued in September 2015 by a California couple and the Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp Pressure Cooker, Series OP300(OP301), which was involved in the Randall v. SharkNinja case.
Plaintiff Claims in Pressure Cooker Injury Lawsuit
Plaintiffs allege that the Power Pressure Cooker XL has several issues, including:
- A lid-locking system that might not be working properly
- Pressure release valves that don’t seem to be functioning right
- Lids that open when they shouldn’t
These issues can potentially lead to a pressure cooker explosion, resulting in unsuspecting consumers sustaining severe burns.
Scalding water and steam can be released at high speeds if the gasket in Tabletops Unlimited pressure cookers breaks. The mother in the Instant Pot pressure cooker lawsuit claimed that her model IP-DUO 60 V2 cooker pressurized suddenly, and the lid flew off.
“A fundamental premise of this paper is that strict liability is not dependent upon negligence5 and that the manufacturer or supplier of a defective product is liable for resulting harm even if he has exercised due care.”- The University of Tulsa
This resulted in scalding hot contents spilling onto her child and causing burns. She thought the product was “dangerously defective” and held the manufacturer accountable for not warning about the risks and not dealing with the defective lid lock.
To avoid potential property damage and personal injury, a recall of Tabletops Unlimited pressure cookers is undeniably needed.
Common Pressure Cooker Injury
Injuries caused by defective pressure cookers can include burns, scalding, and property damage. People have reported painful second and third-degree burns from Power Pressure Cooker XL explosions.
Skin burns are the most typical injury caused by Instant Pot pressure cooker explosions, while some individuals have suffered severe burns from Tabletops Unlimited pressure cooker explosions.
These injuries can be life-altering and cause immense physical and emotional pain for those affected. To avert these devastating accidents, pressure cookers must be manufactured with appropriate safety mechanisms.
Should you or someone you know sustain injury due to a faulty pressure cooker, securing legal representation from defective pressure cooker lawyers is vital to hold the manufacturer accountable and potentially receive compensation.
Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Settlement Amounts in Hawaii
The settlement value of a defective pressure cooker lawsuit mainly depends on the physical injuries the plaintiff has suffered. The estimated settlement value range for Instant Pot burns that are 2nd or 1st degree is between $40,000 and $150,000.
The typical compensation amount for pressure cooker injury lawsuits in Hawaii ranges from $125,000 to $200,000 for second-degree burns and up to $2,000,000 for third-degree burns.
The range for an average settlement amount for serious burn injuries, specifically 1st-degree burn injuries in an auto accident, is significant. It may be anywhere between $25,000 and $75,000. Cases involving facial burning with permanent disfigurement would be worth the most in a settlement.
These settlement amounts can provide much-needed financial relief to those who have suffered from defective pressure cooker accidents, covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Filing a Hawaii Pressure Cooker Lawsuit
Contact a product liability lawyer as soon as possible if a malfunctioning pressure cooker has injured you or a loved one. To file a pressure cooker lawsuit in Hawaii, you should first seek medical attention, keep the defective pressure cooker as evidence, and reach out to an experienced product liability attorney.
Submitting a pressure cooker injury claim with a law firm is simple – get a free case evaluation to get started. Manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure their products meet certain safety standards, and pursuing legal action can hold them accountable for any negligence or failure to meet these standards.
FAQs
Are there any class action lawsuits related to pressure cookers in Hawaii?
There may be class action lawsuits involving multiple plaintiffs who experienced similar injuries from defective pressure cookers. Joining a class action can provide collective legal strength and shared resources.
What are the safety standards for pressure cookers, and how do they apply to products in Hawaii?
Pressure cookers are expected to adhere to safety standards that prevent open operation under pressure, ensure secure locking lids, and robust pressure release mechanisms. Compliance with these standards is critical, and any deviations that lead to injuries can form the basis of a liability claim.
What should I look for in an attorney handling a Hawaii Pressure Cooker lawsuit?
Look for an attorney with experience in product liability law, particularly with kitchen appliances or pressure cookers. Ensure they have a track record of recovering significant settlements or verdicts in similar cases, good communication skills, and a strategy aligned with your goals and expectations.
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See all related personal injury lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
Get Your Free Consultation Hawaii Pressure Lawyers
Schmidt and Clark, LLP are your steadfast support when it matters most. If you or a family member has suffered injuries from a pressure cooker incident, please reach out to us without hesitation. Our team possesses extensive experience in handling such cases and is fully prepared to guide you through every stage.
You have the right to be informed about your legal rights and the potential for a lawsuit. Be assured that our consultations are consistently provided at no charge, and you won’t have any expenses unless we secure a favorable outcome for your case. Our commitment is to serve you with the same level of care and dedication that we would extend to our own loved ones.
Don’t hesitate to contact Schmidt and Clark today for a thorough evaluation of your situation. Let us be your trusted companion on this journey.
Reference:
- https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2023/09/19/740853.htm
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