Prestige Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Attorney

What is the Prestige Pressure Cooker?

The Prestige Pressure Cooker is an airtight instant pot that cooks food at a rapid rate by the use of steam pressure. The manufacturer guarantees that Prestige Multi-Cookers will prepare your favorite recipes at rates as high as 70% faster than conventional cooking options.

What’s the Problem With Defective Pressure Cookers?

According to PR NewsWire, the problem with modern electric pressure cookers is that some manufacturers have been mass-producing faulty designs in their safety features. Because these defective pressure cookers operate at such high temperatures with scalding hot steam, just one bad part can result in defective pressure cookers [1].  For example:

Distinctive Features: Despite similar appearances, different Prestige pressure cooker models may contain distinct parts or carry varying warnings. Some manufacturers have modified components or safety instructions without changing the packaging or model numbers, potentially leading to confusion among consumers.

It means that two customers can think they are purchasing the same pressure cooker, but the cookers are not identical. The only way to see the changes may be to take it apart.

Identifying Defects: Pressure cooker lawsuits can arise from design or manufacturing defects that result in consumer injuries.

Design defects have been seen in pressure cookers with the failure to use adequate indicators that pressure is still in the cooker after the steam is released, improper design of the locking mechanisms, and inadequate prevention of steam valve clogging. CPSC said.

Insufficient Warnings: Certain manufacturers have made significant changes to their product manuals and warnings, but failed to inform previous purchasers. Some models have undergone multiple manual versions, with inadequate warnings about foods that can clog the steam valve.

Recall Issues: Even where a pressure cooker company issues a national pressure cooker recall, they may not sufficiently notify customers, may fail to adequately compensate customers for loss of use or diminished value of the pressure cooker, and may not provide an adequate remedy.

Cooking Time vs. Potential Injury

Using a Prestige cooker sounds pretty convenient, especially considering how little time you have during the week to prepare a home-cooked meal for yourself or your family. When the appliance arrives, you prepare your favorite meal and allow it to sit in the kitchen and cook.

Just hours later and without warning, pressure cooker lids blow off, exploding scalding hot contents out of the pot and all over the kitchen and all over you. In a matter of seconds, you have gone from cooking a quick and easy meal to being rushed to the hospital and suffering from severe burns all over your body.

Related Article: Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Update

Injuries

• Serious burns
• Hot steam burns
• Second-degree burns
• Third-degree burns
• Eye injuries and blindness
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Scalds
• Permanent scarring
• Disfigurement
• Emergency medical treatment
• Kitchen and/or property damage

Tips for Using Pressure Cookers Safely

• Inspect the Pressure Cooker Before Cooking – The rubber gasket between the instant pot and lid is critical to the proper functioning of a pressure cooker. Before cooking, ensure the gasket is clean and is not cracked or dried out. Some manufacturers suggest replacing the rubber gasket once a year, depending on how frequently you use your pressure cooker.
• Don’t Overfill the Pressure Cooker – A pressure cooker should never be over two-thirds full. This is to prevent food from blocking the vents in the lid of the cooker. For foods that swell or froth (i.e. beans, rice, pasta), only fill the cooker halfway.
• Use Enough Liquid – Pressure cookers are designed to cook food by using steam under extreme pressure. Steam cannot be created without some form of liquid. At least half a cup of liquid is needed to create enough steam to properly use the cooker.
• Be Mindful of the Type of Food Being Cooked – Froth produced during the cooking process by certain foods (i.e. pasta, split peas, oatmeal, applesauce, and cranberries) can block the steam valves and vents of the cooker. Before cooking these foods in a pressure cooker, ensure your recipe calls for the same size cooker as yours, and do not overfill the cooker. Never fry food in a standard pressure cooker. Some pressure cookers are specifically designed for frying. A small amount of oil can be included in a recipe, but frying in a cooker that is not made for frying can melt the gasket and other parts.
• Release Pressure in a Safe Way – Pressure can be released in three ways: Natural release by removing the cooker from heat and allowing it to sit until the pressure reduces; cold water release by running cold water over the lid of the closed cooker; or quick release by using the steam release valve to expel steam. Always be sure to protect your face, hands, and body when releasing pressure, and remember that steam may still escape when opening the pressure cooker—even if you believe you have properly released the pressure.
• Clean the Cooker Properly – When you have finished using your pressure cooker, remove the gasket and clean it separately from other parts of the cooker. Clean out the release valve with a toothpick. To reduce unnecessary wear on the gasket, store your cooker with the lid upside down on the instant pot rather than locked in place.

Source: The Spruce Eats [2]

Related Article: Why Do Pressure Cookers Explode?

How a Product Liability Lawyer Can Help Victims Injured By Pressure Cooker Burn Injuries

Federal and state laws ensure that if it is discovered that a product is so dangerous that it led to a person’s bodily injury or death, the manufacturer will be held liable.

For the manufacturer to be held strictly liable for a defective product, we would generally have to show that the product was unreasonably dangerous and that there was a defect in its design, manufacturing, or marketing. A pressure cooker with safety features should not open easily while still pressurized.

Our team of product liability attorneys at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, advocates for consumer safety and the production of safer products. We believe that the manufacturer of a defective product should be held accountable if your pressure cooker explodes.

Pressure Cooker Injury Statistics

A study published in the journal Injury Prevention in November 2023 [3] examined the incidence of pressure cooker-related injuries in US hospital emergency departments that had been logged in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).

The NEISS query identified 759 actual pressure cooker injuries between 2003 and 2019, yielding a national estimate of 28 337 (95% CI 24 588 to 32,086) injuries treated in US emergency departments, 1667 cases annually.

Analysis of case narratives resulted in the identification of four predominant precipitating or contributing factors to injury: burning agent, struck by product, injured while opening and other, the researchers said.

FAQs

What types of compensation can I receive from a Prestige pressure cooker lawsuit?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. Each case is unique, and the specific damages awarded depend on individual circumstances.

Has the Prestige pressure cooker been recalled due to safety concerns?
Yes, there have been recalls of certain Prestige pressure cooker models due to safety concerns, including risks of explosions and malfunctioning safety features. Checking for recalls related to your specific pressure cooker model can be crucial for your case.

Can I join a class action lawsuit for Prestige pressure cooker-related injuries?
You may be able to join a class action or file an individual lawsuit. Consulting with an attorney will help determine the best legal strategy for your situation.

Related Articles:

• Power Pressure Cooker XL Litigation
• Power Quick Pot Lawsuit
• QVC Electric Pressure Cooker Litigation

See all related product liability lawsuits our lawyers have taken on.

Get a Free Prestige 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 Prestige Pressure Cooker Litigations. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently representing consumers in Prestige pressure cooker lawsuits in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Prestige Pressure Cooker Lawsuits 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 with a free Prestige pressure cooker lawsuit evaluation.

References:

1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pressure-cooker-defects-you-may-not-know-about-301359197.html
2. https://www.thespruceeats.com/pressure-cooker-safety-tips-909319
3.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37666516