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Hurt by a Pressure Cooker? What Burn Victims Should Know About Lawsuits, Recalls and Their Rights
If you were hurt by a pressure cooker that exploded, opened under pressure, or sprayed scalding contents, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller for medical bills, lost income, scarring, and pain. Parents may also be able to bring claims for injured children. Call 800-337-7755 to talk with our team.
Pressure cookers and electric multi-cookers are sold as safe, hands-off kitchen helpers. Most people trust that the lid will stay locked as long as there is pressure inside. When a safety feature fails, though, the result can be a burst of boiling food, liquid, and steam aimed right at the person standing over the counter. These injuries often happen in a split second, and they can leave lasting scars, both physical and emotional.
How Pressure Cooker Injuries Tend to Happen
Every case is different, but many of the incidents people describe to us follow a familiar pattern. Common problems can include:
- Lids that open while the pot is still pressurized. A faulty locking pin, float valve, or interlock may allow the lid to twist open even though the display or the user believes pressure has been released.
- Blocked or failed pressure release valves. If steam cannot vent properly, pressure can build beyond what the unit was designed to hold.
- Defective gaskets and seals. A seal that shifts or fails can let superheated liquid escape suddenly.
- Misleading displays or indicators. Some users report that the unit showed it was safe to open when it was not.
- Poor instructions or missing warnings. A product may be unreasonably dangerous if the manufacturer did not clearly explain a known risk.
Manufacturers often blame the user. In our experience, that argument deserves a close look, because a well-designed safety lock is supposed to prevent the lid from opening under pressure no matter how it is handled.
Brands and Models We May Be Able to Handle Cases Against
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin may be able to help people injured by a wide range of pressure cookers and multi-cookers, including products sold under brands such as:
- Instant Pot (Instant Brands)
- Ninja Foodi and other SharkNinja products
- Crock-Pot Express Crock (Sunbeam)
- Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL and Power Quick Pot
- Insignia (sold by Best Buy)
- Cuisinart, Presto, Bella, Gourmia, Elite, Farberware, Mueller, Chefman and others
Naming a brand here does not mean that every product from that company is defective. It simply means these are among the products people commonly ask us about. If you were burned by a Tristar unit, our article on the Power Quick Pot burn lawsuit covers that product in more detail. We have also written about Ninja PossibleCooker burn injuries and can help with claims if you were hurt.
Recalls and CPSC Warnings
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced recalls involving pressure cookers and multi-cookers over burn hazards. Examples have included the Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker from Sunbeam, Insignia multi-function pressure cookers sold by Best Buy, and certain Ninja Foodi pressure cookers from SharkNinja. You can search current and past recalls on the CPSC recalls page.
A recall can be helpful evidence, but you do not need a recall to have a claim. Many injuries involve products that were never recalled. And if your model was recalled after you were hurt, you may still be able to pursue compensation.
Examples of the Kinds of Cases We Review
The scenarios below are general illustrations of situations people bring to law firms like ours. They are not actual case results, and every claim depends on its own facts.
- A parent making soup for dinner turns the lid after the float valve drops, and the lid releases with a burst of boiling broth that causes burns to the face, chest, and arms.
- A child standing near the counter is splashed when an adult opens a multi-cooker that the display showed was depressurized.
- A home cook using a newer model hears a loud pop as the gasket fails mid-cycle, spraying hot contents across the kitchen and onto their legs.
- A person who bought a used unit later learns the model was part of a recall they never heard about.
Situations like these may involve second- and third-degree burns, skin grafts, permanent scarring, eye injuries, and time away from work. They can also cause anxiety around cooking that lingers long after the wounds heal.
Who May Be Responsible
Product liability law can allow injured people to seek compensation from companies in the chain of distribution. Depending on the facts, that may include the manufacturer, the brand owner, a distributor, an importer, or a retailer. Claims may be based on a design defect, a manufacturing defect, a failure to warn, or a breach of warranty. Our pressure cooker explosion lawsuit guide explains these legal theories in more depth.
What to Do After a Pressure Cooker Burn
- Get medical care right away. Burns can worsen over hours, and early treatment matters for healing.
- Keep the pressure cooker. Do not throw it away, return it, or send it back to the company. The product itself is often the most important evidence.
- Save everything that came with it. That includes the box, manual, lid, gasket, receipt, and any order confirmation.
- Take photos. Photograph your injuries over time, the kitchen, and the unit.
- Be careful with the manufacturer. Companies may ask for the product or a recorded statement. Talking with a lawyer first may help protect your rights.
- Report the incident. You can file a report at SaferProducts.gov.
Why People Turn to the Law Offices of Jason Turchin
Our firm has represented injured people for many years, and pressure cooker burn claims are an area we have spent a lot of time on. Jason Turchin has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year from 2020 through 2026 and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2011 and from 2013 through 2016. He holds an AV Preeminent peer rating and received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award in 2026. He also has an AVVO 10.0 Superb rating.
The firm has been A+ rated by the BBB every year from 2014 through 2026. Jason is a #1 best-selling author on Amazon on accident law, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and was named to the 7 Figure Litigators® and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® lists in 2026. Our work and commentary have been featured by outlets including CBS Evening News, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The Washington Post.
We help clients in Florida through our Florida pressure cooker lawyers page, and we may also be able to assist people in other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim if my pressure cooker was never recalled?
Yes, you may. A recall is not required. If the product was defective or lacked proper warnings, you may still have a claim.
What if the company says I used it wrong?
That is a common defense. Safety locks are generally meant to prevent the lid from opening under pressure. An experienced lawyer can look at the product, the design, and how the incident happened.
How long do I have to file?
Deadlines vary by state and type of claim, and they can be shorter than many people expect. It is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What compensation may be available?
Depending on the case, damages can include medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, scarring and disfigurement, and pain and suffering. No outcome can be promised.
Where can I find more answers?
Our pressure cooker injury FAQ covers many other common questions.
Talk With Our Team About Your Pressure Cooker Injury
If you or someone you love was burned, you do not have to sort this out alone. Keep the product, get the care you need, and reach out to learn about your options. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 or contact us online to discuss what happened.
