Pressure cookers, or instant pots, have become popular again after a hiatus. The old-style pots were very dangerous and caused a great number of injuries due to the risks of combining steel pots, heat, and very high pressure levels within. Unfortunately, even though the newly-designed pots are touted as being safe, people are being hurt every day by pressure cookers. To find out what is going on and how you can take action if it's happened to you, read on.
How They Should Work
Pressure cookers sold under the brands Instant Pot, Ninja, Cuisinart, and more come with several safety features that are supposed to prevent anyone from removing the lid until the pressure has been slowly and safely released. The problem is that like nearly everything else, the pots can malfunction and release seriously hot steam and pot contents into the air and onto anyone nearby. The lids that are supposed to lock and stay locked may not always work reliably and that could result in an explosion of hot liquids and steam.
Pain and Suffering
Burns can be extremely painful and disfiguring to the victims of pressure cooker accidents. First, second, and third-degree burns can cause permanent scarring, organ failure, and a variety of other complications that can even lead to death. Many people burned in this manner are unable to work again for months if not years and suffer from agonizing medical treatments like multiple surgeries to alleviate painful scarring.
What Went Wrong?
Newer pots now have additional safety features that older pots should have had all along. Even with these measures in place, malfunctions are still possible. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a faulty pressure cooker, you can take action and have the chance to be compensated for your injuries. You might be entitled to be paid for your:
- Current medical costs
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages and lost career damage
- Psychological damage from disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
Take Action
It's important to gather and set aside as much evidence as you can. That means keeping the defective pot and any paperwork like receipts that came with it. Take photographs of the damage to your kitchen and of the injuries. Keep up with your medical expenses and your time missed from your job. Finally, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can and let them take over the case from you.
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