In May 2022, Pittsburgh Injury Law News reported that a man in Florida had filed a lawsuit against Bene Casa, an MNC specializing in consumer household goods. The plaintiff shared that he suffered from severe injuries while using a pressure cooker from this brand.
The lawsuit called out MBR Industries, which manufactures the majority of Bene Casa products, as the major defendant. The other defendant that the plaintiff mentioned was Navarro Discount Pharmacy, from where he bought the cooker.
Based on the complaint, on March 3rd, 2022, the plaintiff used the pressure cooker to make black beans. While cooking, it exploded, and hot fluids forcefully ejected into the plaintiff’s eyes, face, and torso. He had to be hospitalized immediately and underwent several surgeries.
The plaintiff argued that the defendants weren’t able to offer adequate warnings about probable dangers linked with the pressure cooker. The defendants should have shared details about the explosion risk when components get clogged.
Additionally, he stated that MBR Industries knew that the clogged instrument in the cooker could harm the user but didn’t implement sufficient measures to protect their customers.
This is not the only solitary example of a pressure cooker explosion. There have been umpteen incidents in the past, where plaintiffs accused brands like InstantPot, Crock-Pot, Tristar, and Ninja Foodie. In this blog, we will delve into the factors that cause a pressure cooker to explode and how to file a legal complaint about it.
What Causes a Pressure Cooker to Explode?
Can a pressure cooker explode and injure people? The answer is yes, when there are human errors or the products are poorly manufactured. Some of the causes are:
Broken Gaskets
The safe operation of your pressure cooker depends on its gaskets, which play a crucial role in redirecting steam away from the main chamber. As pressure builds up inside the cooker, the steam must be periodically released to prevent potential explosions. Faulty gaskets fail to open or release pressure regularly, which can lead to a serious malfunction in the cooker.
Malfunctioning or clogged vents
The pressure cooker expels excess air from the bucket, and the vent system effectively redirects this air without causing any harm to your kitchen. However, the vents that are poorly designed or become clogged over time can trap air inside the cooker’s bucket. When pressure, air, and food combine in such a situation, an explosion is inevitable.
If you are considering pursuing a civil case for the damage caused by the pressure cooker, it is important to inspect the vents following an explosion. Manufacturers may argue that you failed to maintain the unit properly to avoid liability. Here the assistance of a lawyer becomes crucial, as they can help you seek compensation for all your losses.
Incorrect Seal Installation
As you close the pressure cooker lid, you seal the pressure, moisture, and food in one place. The cooker then moves all air out from the space to help the cooking process. When the lid doesn’t get sealed correctly, the cooker will remove more air from the bucket.
When seals aren’t installed correctly, it can force the food to eject out of the container. And the force of this ejection can result in an explosion. If you are near, you will get severely injured. There might be severe damage to your stove and countertop.
Overfilled Buckets
Learn about the pressure cooker’s capacity before using it. When you overfill the cooker, the food will come out forcefully from the unit. If there is a human error, the court can’t compensate for your loss due to a cooker explosion.
Filing a Lawsuit for Pressure Cooker Explosions
Pressure cooker explosions can cause severe injuries, such as eye injuries, broken bones, burns, scarring, disfigurement, and disability. If the fault lies with the manufacturer, then victims of the cooker explosion have the right to file a legal claim and ask for the compensation they deserve.
TorHoerman Law asserts that filing a pressure cooker explosion lawsuit under the guidance of a lawyer is essential for recovering the damages. The potential damages that can get covered include medical bills, permanent or temporary disability, lost wages, property damage, ongoing treatment, and pain and suffering. However, it is necessary to keep every medical record handy for the lawyer to use and build a strong case.
Conclusion
Pressure cooker explosions can occur unexpectedly and harm anyone across all age groups. For instance, a few years back, NWF Daily News reported of a 2-year-old kid suffering from severe burns because of a pressure cooker explosion during Halloween. While it is necessary to maintain precautions as you cook, you need to check the cooker thoroughly before buying. If you feel a product has manufacturing defects, get it checked instantly or refrain from buying it.
Furthermore, there are instances where the defects are so minor that it’s not visible to the bare eye. If you are certain that the cooker explosion wasn’t due to your negligence, you can seek medical and legal assistance.
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