QVC recalled about 900 additional PC501 cookers in June 2006, and CPSC later announced an $875,000 civil penalty settlement with HSN over allegations that the retailer failed to timely report serious hazards and injuries involving the product. Consumers who still possess an affected PC501 should not use it.
Quick Facts
- Product: Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker, model PC501
- Units affected: About 3,900 HSN units and about 900 QVC units
- Hazard: Lid can open prematurely while contents remain under pressure
- Injuries: 37 burn injuries reported, including at least four third-degree burns
Table Of Contents
- Latest Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Recall Developments
- What Is the Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Recall?
- Why Were Welbilt Pressure Cookers Recalled?
- How Many Welbilt Pressure Cooker Injuries Were Reported?
- What Did CPSC Allege Against HSN?
- Where Were Welbilt PC501 Pressure Cookers Sold?
- Why Is Premature Lid Opening Dangerous?
- What Should Owners of a Recalled Welbilt Pressure Cooker Do?
- Who May Be Affected?
- What Injuries Can a Pressure Cooker Accident Cause?
- Who May Be Liable for a Welbilt Pressure Cooker Injury?
- Current Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Status
- Do I Qualify for a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Claim?
- Legal Process for a Welbilt Pressure Cooker Claim
- Compensation in a Welbilt Pressure Cooker Case
- Important Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Developments
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
- Was the Welbilt PC501 sold by HSN or QVC?
- Why was the Welbilt pressure cooker recalled?
- How many Welbilt pressure cooker injuries were reported?
- Why did HSN pay an $875,000 civil penalty?
- Did QVC report any Welbilt pressure cooker injuries?
- How can I identify a recalled Welbilt PC501?
- Can I file a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
- Do I Have a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
- References
Latest Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Recall Developments
December 2007
December 27, 2007 – CPSC announced that HSN LP agreed to pay an $875,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it failed to timely report serious injuries and hazards involving Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers. CPSC alleged that HSN had received at least 25 reports between September 2001 and about October 2004 indicating a possible substantial product hazard or unreasonable risk of serious injury. [1]
HSN denied that it violated the Consumer Product Safety Act when it agreed to the settlement. The penalty resolved federal reporting allegations rather than individual consumer injury claims.
June 2006
June 14, 2006 – QVC recalled about 900 Welbilt PC501 pressure cookers because their lids could open prematurely while the contents remained pressurized. QVC reported no known customer incidents or injuries but initiated the recall based on 43 failure incidents and 37 burn injuries reported by another retailer selling the same model. [2]
June 2005
June 3, 2005 – HSN recalled about 3,900 Welbilt PC501 pressure cookers after receiving 43 reports that lids opened prematurely while contents were still under pressure. Those incidents resulted in 37 reported burn injuries, including at least four third-degree burns. [3]
What Is the Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Recall?
The recalls involve Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers sold under model number PC501. The same model was involved in separate CPSC recall actions covering units sold through HSN and QVC.
The cooker is white and measures approximately 11 inches high, 11 inches wide, and 15 inches long. The Welbilt name appears near the control panel.
Model number PC501 can be found near the control panel, on the instruction and warning label near the bottom, and on the bottom of the appliance.
Why Were Welbilt Pressure Cookers Recalled?
The lid can open prematurely while hot food and liquid remain under pressure. When that happens, pressurized contents can be expelled from the cooker and strike consumers standing nearby.
Pressure cooker locking systems are intended to prevent access to the contents until internal pressure has been released. Premature opening can expose the face, chest, hands, and arms to scalding food or liquid.
How Many Welbilt Pressure Cooker Injuries Were Reported?
HSN received 43 reports involving lids opening prematurely on Welbilt PC501 pressure cookers. Those incidents resulted in 37 reported burn injuries.
CPSC reported that at least four consumers suffered third-degree burns. The recall notice does not provide a detailed medical history for each injured person.
QVC had no known consumer incidents or injuries when its recall was announced. Its approximately 900 PC501 units were recalled because they were the same model associated with the HSN incident history.
What Did CPSC Allege Against HSN?
CPSC later alleged that HSN failed to report Welbilt pressure-cooker hazards and serious injuries as quickly as federal law required. The agency said HSN received at least 25 consumer reports between September 2001 and about October 2004 indicating a possible substantial product hazard or unreasonable risk of serious injury.
CPSC stated that HSN did not report information about the product to the agency until February 2005. HSN agreed to an $875,000 civil penalty settlement while denying that it violated the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Where Were Welbilt PC501 Pressure Cookers Sold?
HSN sold about 3,900 units through its telephone and online sales channels from September 2001 through July 2002 for approximately $100. Some cookers were also sold through HSN employee and retail stores for about $30 to $35.
QVC sold about 900 PC501 pressure cookers from March through April 2001 for at least $120. The cookers associated with the HSN recall were manufactured in Korea by DRECO Ltd., formerly DaeRyuk Electronics Ltd.
Why Is Premature Lid Opening Dangerous?
Pressure cookers trap steam and heat so food can cook at elevated temperatures. If a lid opens before internal pressure dissipates, the sudden pressure change can force extremely hot food and liquid out of the cooker.
MedlinePlus identifies hot liquids and steam as common causes of scald burns. Severe burns can damage deeper tissue and may require urgent medical care. [4]
What Should Owners of a Recalled Welbilt Pressure Cooker Do?
CPSC instructed consumers to stop using recalled Welbilt PC501 pressure cookers. HSN and QVC offered refunds under their respective recall programs.
Owners should not assume that a PC501 is safe merely because it has not previously malfunctioned. The recall applies based on the model and identified premature-opening hazard.
Who May Be Affected?
Consumers who purchased or still possess a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker model PC501 sold through HSN or QVC may have an affected appliance. Owners can verify the model using the markings near the control panel, lower warning label, or bottom of the cooker.
Consumers who suffered burns after a PC501 lid opened prematurely may want to preserve the cooker, lid, photographs, purchase records, medical records, and other evidence connected with the incident.
What Injuries Can a Pressure Cooker Accident Cause?
Hot food and liquid expelled from a pressurized cooker can cause thermal and scald burns. CPSC documented 37 burn injuries involving the Welbilt PC501, including at least four third-degree burns.
- Superficial burns
- Partial-thickness burns
- Full-thickness burns
- Blistering and significant pain
- Scarring after deeper burns
- Need for emergency or follow-up treatment
The seriousness of an injury depends on the temperature, duration of exposure, body area involved, and depth of tissue damage.
Who May Be Liable for a Welbilt Pressure Cooker Injury?
Potential liability depends on the circumstances and applicable law. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or other businesses involved in supplying an allegedly defective appliance may potentially be evaluated after an injury.
Possible legal theories can include defective design, manufacturing defects, inadequate warnings, negligence, or breach of warranty. A claimant generally must show an applicable legal basis for liability and connect the alleged product problem to the injury.
CPSC identified DRECO Ltd. as the manufacturer associated with the HSN recall. HSN and QVC separately sold recalled PC501 units to consumers.
Current Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Status
The principal documented federal actions involving the Welbilt PC501 are the 2005 HSN recall, the 2006 QVC recall, and the 2007 CPSC civil penalty settlement with HSN. The cited federal records do not announce a class action, multidistrict litigation proceeding, or nationwide personal-injury settlement involving the PC501.
Because the recalls occurred roughly two decades ago, filing deadlines may be especially important in an individual case. Whether a potential claim remains viable depends on the injury date, applicable state law, available evidence, and other case-specific circumstances.
Do I Qualify for a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Claim?
- Did you own or use a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker, model PC501?
- Did the lid open while pressure or hot contents remained inside?
- Were hot food or liquid expelled from the cooker?
- Did you suffer a burn or another injury requiring medical treatment?
Answering yes to one or more questions does not automatically establish a lawsuit. An attorney can review the cooker, incident date, medical records, recall history, and applicable deadlines to determine whether further investigation may be appropriate.
Legal Process for a Welbilt Pressure Cooker Claim
- Free case review. An attorney reviews the recalled cooker, incident circumstances, injury date, and resulting losses.
- Investigation. Evidence may include the cooker, lid, product markings, photographs, purchase records, medical records, and recall documents.
- Filing. If the evidence and applicable law support a timely claim, a product-liability lawsuit may be filed against one or more potentially responsible parties.
- Discovery/negotiation. The parties may exchange evidence, obtain testimony, retain experts, and discuss possible resolution.
- Resolution. A case may conclude through settlement, dismissal, court ruling, or trial depending on its facts and procedural history.
Compensation in a Welbilt Pressure Cooker Case
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, and other losses permitted under applicable law. Filing deadlines and available evidence may substantially affect older claims.
Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Important Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Developments
| Event | Month/Year | Type | Status | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSN Civil Penalty Settlement | December 2007 | CPSC Enforcement | Settled | [1] | $875,000 reporting settlement |
| QVC Welbilt PC501 Recall | June 2006 | CPSC Consumer Product Recall | Announced | [2] | About 900 units affected |
| HSN Welbilt PC501 Recall | June 2005 | CPSC Consumer Product Recall | Announced | [3] | About 3,900 units affected |
| HSN Burn Injury Reports | June 2005 | Incident Reports | 37 injuries reported | [3] | Four third-degree burns reported |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
The Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit topic concerns potential individual claims involving PC501 pressure cookers recalled because their lids could open while contents remained pressurized. HSN received 43 failure reports associated with 37 burn injuries.
Was the Welbilt PC501 sold by HSN or QVC?
Both retailers sold the PC501 and participated in separate recalls. HSN recalled about 3,900 units in 2005, while QVC recalled about 900 units in 2006.
Why was the Welbilt pressure cooker recalled?
The lid could open while food and liquid remained under pressure. Hot contents could then be expelled from the cooker and burn people nearby.
How many Welbilt pressure cooker injuries were reported?
HSN reported 43 premature-opening incidents involving 37 burn injuries. At least four of those injuries were identified as third-degree burns.
Why did HSN pay an $875,000 civil penalty?
CPSC alleged that HSN failed to timely report information about serious injuries and hazards involving Welbilt pressure cookers. HSN agreed to pay $875,000 to settle those allegations while denying that it violated the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Did QVC report any Welbilt pressure cooker injuries?
QVC reported no known consumer incidents or injuries when its recall was announced. It recalled its PC501 units based on the failure and injury reports associated with the same model sold by another retailer.
How can I identify a recalled Welbilt PC501?
The cooker is white and has the Welbilt name near the control panel. Model number PC501 appears near the control panel, on the lower instruction and warning label, and on the bottom.
Can I file a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
A consumer who suffered a burn allegedly caused by a recalled PC501 may warrant an individual legal review. Because the recalls are approximately two decades old, the injury date and applicable filing deadline are especially important.
Do I Have a Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one suffered burns or another injury after a Welbilt PC501 pressure cooker opened while its contents remained pressurized, you may have legal options. Contact Schmidt & Clark for a free case review.
References
[1] https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2008/Shopping-Channel-HSN-Agrees-to-Pay-875000-Civil-Penalty
[2] https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2006/electronic-pressure-cookers-sold-by-qvc-recalled-due-to-burn-hazard
[3] https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2005/cpsc-hsn-lp-announce-recall-of-welbilt-electronic-pressure-cookers
[4] https://medlineplus.gov/burns.html