A woman attempting to cook beans in a pressure cooker device was severely burned after the lid flew off and left her with second and third-degree burn injuries on her face, arms, and chest. According to a news report, victim Georgina Barela told the Denver Channel that the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cooker pressure cooker’s lid flew off while in use, hit a cupboard, and ricocheted away, with hot liquid from inside the device sent flying across the kitchen. The frightening incident left the victim requiring extensive treatment.
Burn Injuries and Lengthy Treatment
She said the pain was immediate and unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her mother called 911 and Barela was transported to a local hospital, where she learned she had suffered severe burns. She said the treatment and recovery process lasted more than a year when doctors used five square feet of cadaver skin grafts to treat the burned areas. This incident occurred in June 2019 and the pressure cooker was recalled in November 2020.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the multi-cooker can still pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This could cause the lid to become separated from the device suddenly. The CPSC found that this poses a burn injury risk when hot foods or liquids escape from the device. Barela has filed a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Recalled Products and Liability Issues
The CPSC had received 119 reports of lid detachment in these pressure cookers, resulting in 99 burn injuries ranging from first-degree to third-degree burns. Customer reviews posted on several websites where the device was sold warn that the cooker can explode, blowing the lid off and splashing hot contents everywhere. Another woman wrote in February 2018 that her daughter suffered second-degree burns due to a malfunction.
It is curious why the manufacturer did not issue a product defect recall much earlier when there have been so many reports of pressure cooker explosions and burn injuries. This is an example of how product recalls come much later.
If you have been injured by a product that is faulty or malfunctioning, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit seeking compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery, permanent injuries, disabilities, and pain and suffering. An experienced product defect lawyer can advise injured victims regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/denver-woman-severely-burned-by-pressure-cooker-device-that-was-later-recalled-due-to-injuries
