A pressure cooker is a great model for cooking food quickly while ensuring the food retains the required minerals and vitamins. Additionally, pressure cookers are economical in the amount of power used. Although pressure cookers are saving kitchen appliances, they have become a popular world disaster across the USA. Involvement in pressure cooker explosions could result in traumatic injuries to the victims.
In the United States, many people suffer severe injuries due to the pressure cooker explosion. When you suffer injuries due to pressure cooker explosions, Consumer Alert Now is here to help. We help you in filing a class action to ensure you receive maximum compensation. With our nationwide services, you will be fixed on filing a class-action lawsuit against a pressure cooker manufacturer. Additionally, we have competent lawyers with a successful track record of class-action handling cases.
What is a Pressure Cooker?
A pressure cooker is an airtight pot that cooks food faster using the steam pressure, which builds inside. Additionally, the steam makes the food moist. A pressure cooker works under the principle of steam pressure. Additionally, the airtight pot has much steam inside, which ensures high pressure for cooking faster.
Understanding The Work of a Pressure Cooker
To understand how a pressure cooker functions, you should be aware of the product’s main components. A pressure cooker has three main parts. The parts are:
- The lid, most of the safety systems, and the valve reside on the lid.
- In the inner pot, cooking happens at the inner pressure pot.
- The base, the base provides the logic and the heating.
A pressure cooker’s valve regulates the steam in the pot. While the sealed pot heats up, the food will form steam, raising the pressure in the pressure cooker’s pot. Notably, the pot’s high-pressure steam will do the following:
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Raising the Liquid's Boiling Point in The Pot
If you cook something wet, including steamed vegetables or stew, the cooking heat will not go beyond the water’s boiling point. However, the steamed pressure will raise the liquid's boiling point to above 250 F. The higher heat will help in cooking the food faster.
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The High-Pressure Forces Liquid and Moisture Into the Food Or Content
The high pressure will help in forcing moisture and liquid into the food quickly. Therefore, the pressure helps in cooking foods faster. The foods may include cooking tough meat. Notably, the pressure cookers' extra-high heat will promote browning and caramelization. Additionally, the pressure cooker creates deep and complex flavors, unlike regular steamed foods.
Causes of Pressure Cooker Explosions
For you to avoid pressure cooker accidents, you should first understand the common causes of the explosions. Notably, before commencing cooking, check the rubber gasket of your pressure cooker for ensuring no cracks on it. After ensuring the vents aren't blocked, through running hot water on them. When you ensure the pressure cooker is in good condition, you should commence your cooking. Common mistakes which may result in pressure cooker explosions include:
- Ignorance of the pressure cooker and food recipe instructions might result in pressure cooker explosions. Often ensure you follow the recipe instructions. Notably, the pressure cooker will explode when used outside the required specifications. For instance, the ingredients and the steps are made for working together to create a great meal. Once you ignore the instructions, you are at the risk of spreading the food all over the ceiling and wall, causing injuries and damages. Beginners may tend to add more water to the food than the cooker's designation. Additionally, overstuffing your cooker may result in too much pressure causing an explosion.
- Adding too Much Water could also lead to pressure cooker explosions. You should follow the recipe before adding water. Additionally, the pressure cooker's design will determine the amount of water to be added to the meal. Notably, the pressure cookers are designed for letting water escape at a certain time, and water seemed to be the right amount that may be too much for the tightly sealed pressure cookers.
- Cooking at the wrong temperatures could also be a cause of pressure cooker explosions. When you are cooking food at too high temperatures, the cooker's content may create too much pressure leading to explosions.
- There are a few cases of pressure cookers catching fire in the process of cooking. However, pressure cooker fire may result from the product malfunctioning or improper use of the pressure cooker. Additionally, man's error when using a pressure cooker may result in explosions.
Parties Held Liable for a Pressure Cooker Accident
In most pressure-cooker accidents, the liability for the sustained injuries is traced to the product manufacturers. Notably, product manufacturers will be held liable when the pressure cooker has defects. For example, a defect in the design making the pressure pot create unusual high degrees of pressure. Therefore the pressure cooker manufacturers will be responsible for the injuries and damages caused by the product defect.
Additionally, in other circumstances, a business or a person will be held liable for using pressure knowingly it could result in explosions. For instance, a person using a product knowingly that the item is defective and subject a pressure cooker recall.
How to Avoid Pressure Cooker Explosion Liability
You should avoid liability in pressure cooker explosions to succeed in your class action lawsuit. Additionally, you should take all the safety precautions to avoid liability. You should ensure you aren't the liable party in a pressure cooker explosion for you to receive compensation for the injuries and damages suffered. Once the court establishes the product manufacturer isn't the responsible party for the explosions, you will not receive compensation. However, for you to avoid liability, you should observe precautions when using the pressure cooker.
You may encounter significant problems for failing to use the pressure cooker properly. A pressure cooker may begin the fire and result in severe injuries and damages. Therefore when you purchase a pressure cooker, you should take time to understand the pressure cooker before you begin to use it. The safety precautions which may help you in avoiding pressure cooker explosions include:
Reading and Understanding the Pressure Cooker Manuals
After buying a pressure cooker, you should read the attached manuals. Additionally, never start the pressure cooker before reading and understanding the manuals. Using a pressure cooker is much beneficial; however, many people hesitate to use them due to the pressure cooker explosions. You should read, understand, and follow the pressure cooker manual to stay safe and cook faster.
First, check the appliance well. Before you use a pressure cooker, you should check the sealing ring or check the gasket to ensure the cooker doesn't have cracks. Notably, change the gasket annually. Additionally, please keep it clean to ensure no food is left on the rings. Ensure you use the pressure cooker for the outlined purposes by the manufacturers. Moreover, ensure the electrical and fuses are compatible and well-rated with the pressure cooker. Don't fill the pressure cooker up too high; you should fill up to 2/3 maximum since overfilling food could block the pressure release valves.
Cleaning the Pressure Cooker After Use
You should clean and dry the pressure cooker after every use. If you leave food residue for a long time, bacteria may grow, making it difficult to wash the pressure cooker. Additionally, you should avoid using the device repeatedly before you clean it. Food residues sticking on the heating elements may catch fire the next time you use the pressure cooker. Use a dishwasher only when the cooker is dishwasher safe.
Notably, read the manual instructions to know whether your pressure cooker is dishwasher safe. Avoid using rough cleaning elements to clean the cooker. Additionally, wash all the pressure cooker components, lids, pressure weight, and gasket with mild dishwashing soap, sponge, and hot water separately. Note that any food particles lodged on the pressure cooker parts may affect the functioning of the device.
When cleaning a multi-electric pressure cooker, you should first unplug your instant pot. Notably, never make any attempt to clean the electric device when still plugged in. Secondly, disassemble your instant pot. Put the lid, inner pot, sealing valve, sealing ring, condensation cup, and rubber valve cover in the sink. Plug the drain and fill it with hot soapy water, and then let it soak.
Common Injuries Sustained From a Pressure Cooker Explosion
Burns occur when scalding liquids and foods spray out of the sealed pot. The injuries suffered from pressure cooker explosion may be very painful, leading to extensive medical treatment. For instance, if the person suffers second or third-degree burns, he/she may require to undergo plastic surgery or graft procedures, rehabilitation, and therapy. Additionally, the victim will be unable to continue with their daily income activities due to the injuries. The common damages resulting from pressure cooker explosion are:
Burns
Many people may suffer burns from the pressure cooker, including arms, chest area, face, and hands. The burns range from first-degree burns to third-degree burns. First degree burns are minor, while third-degree burns result in permanent tissue and nerve damages. The burns usually occur from being hit by boiling food and liquid or direct exposure to steam. The victim may suffer complications like infections.
Eye Injuries
Sometimes the pressure cooker explosion might knock loose parts, causing fragments to fly into consumers' eyes. Additionally, the victim may suffer lacerations and cuts from flying debris.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Severe pressure cooker burns may result in a permanent scar. The victim may undergo procedures, including skin graft surgery, as a result of the burn.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A pressure cooker explosion may result in a severe form of TBI or a concussion. If the consumer is knocked backward, hitting their head on the ground or an object may result in a sudden, violent shaking motion causing brain damage. Additionally, an explosion of hot foods may result in damaging your personal property, including walls, appliances, and countertops.
Speaking with a Class Action Attorney When Filing a Lawsuit
The majority of attorneys will offer a free consultation by phone, in person, or online. During the consultation exercise, the lawyers will inquire more details of the pressure cooker explosion and request evidence for filing the lawsuit. For instance, in a case whereby you believe the pressure cooker caught fire because of a manufacturer's error, the lawyer may need photos of the document and damages, including paperwork or receipt showing recent services or repair to the pressure cooker.
Sometimes, the court may dismiss frivolous lawsuits. Therefore, the lawyer will ensure their clients have a valid claim before they file a case. Additionally, the lawyer may carry research on the results of cases involving similar allegations to determine which state and federal laws were broken. Moreover, the attorney will determine the number of people harmed similarly to the client.
Parties Involved in a Class Action
The class action involves three main parties. The participants include the class member, the defendant, and the lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff is the person who filed the lawsuit. Notably, the name of the plaintiff will appear on the complaint.
The defendant involves the business or company being sued by type class action and the plaintiff. For instance, in a case involving pressure cooker explosions, the defendant will be the pressure cooker's manufacturers.
Alternatively, class members involve the people whose rights may have been affected by the lawsuits allegations and the class action lawsuit. The judgment or settlement made by the judge applies to all class members. However, most of the class members may be unaware of the class since they don't file lawsuits. The majority of the class members will know about the class once they obtain a notice concerning the lawsuit.
Filing a Class Action lawsuit
In the process of making a class-action lawsuit, the first stage involved when filing the class action will be determining if the class action meets the required qualifications.
The plaintiffs must prepare a complaint for them to commence a class action lawsuit. A complaint is a legal document containing the damages and other evidence of the case. The filing should take place in an appropriate federal or state court. Notably, the lawsuit is often filed on behalf of the proposed class. Additionally, the complaint also outlines the people affected by the class action lawsuit. A few lawsuits will include people living in the same state, while other lawsuits will involve people from various US states.
The Number of People Required When Filing a Class Action
After filing a class action, the persons injured or affected by the lawsuit should receive notifications. Sometimes, it may be challenging to notify all the affected people in persons. However, the affected people have the right to receive notice. The typical methods of notifying them include newspapers, television posts, and magazines.
You may be wondering about the number of people required to file a class-action lawsuit. A class action may be started by one or even a small group of people in the US. The class action is filed on behalf of all persons sustaining similar injuries or financial damages. After filing a lawsuit, a judge evaluates whether the persons have suffered injuries in the same manner, among other elements, to determine whether the case will move forward as a class action.
Anyone may start a class-action lawsuit, but certain requirements must be satisfied. For instance, anyone filing a class-action lawsuit should speak with a competent and experienced attorney in handling pressure cooker explosion cases. Notably, the judge will help in determining whether filing a class action should occur.
Certification of a class action
Before a class action is certified, the class is known as a putative action. A lawsuit doesn’t become a class action unless the presiding judge approves the class-action status. The named plaintiffs must seek certification of a class action for them to proceed with the case.
Through their lawyers, the named plaintiffs should show the class is so numerous, and the people's claims are impractical. The plaintiffs must allege the presence of factual claims or common legal claims at stake and that the defenses are typical to either party. Notably, the class members will represent the interests of the general class.
Litigation
After the class certification, the case should proceed similarly to litigation involving other cases that don't involve class action. The attorney with the case conducts a thorough investigation exercise. Additionally, discovery may start with the plaintiffs requesting discovery materials from the defendants and the pressure cooker manufacturers. Both parties may file pretrial motions. Accordingly, the parties may hold settlement negotiations.
Notifying, The Plaintiffs
The potential plaintiffs must receive notifications for the pending lawsuits. Therefore the judge orders how the plaintiffs receive a notification. Receiving notification may be through email or mail, newspaper publications, or television commercials. The persons meeting the definition of the class will be automatically included in the class.
Settlement of a Class Action
Resolution is the final step when filing a class action. The judge assigned with the case will give notice of any proposed settlement to the class. Notably, any class member wishing to speak should be given a chance to state their objections or positions. Additionally, the judge may incorporate the settlement agreement of both parties into a court order. The parties may not arrive at a settlement agreement. If no agreement is made, the case proceeds to the trial, which the jury hears or judges.
Different tiers will regard how various class members will receive their compensations in the event of judgment or settlement. The judge ensures fair compensation among the class members. For instance, the family of a person sustaining severe injuries will receive greater degree damages compared to a class member-only suffering minimal or property damages.
Advantages of a Class Action
There are many benefits for plaintiffs pursuing a class action rather than litigating their claims separately. Firstly, the costs of litigation are low. Notably, costs to litigate spreads across many plaintiffs, enabling them to afford to litigate the case. Additionally, most of the class actions will be handled on the provision of fee basis. Therefore, the plaintiffs will not pay the fees unless their case is successful.
Under a class action, the plaintiffs have a great degree of uniformity as similarly situated plaintiffs will recover in the same way. Notably, it is advantageous for the defendant in a class-action lawsuit since most similar cases will be resolved at the end of the settlement.
A class action has a higher likelihood of financial recovery. Notably, a judgment made against the defendant will see the plaintiffs receive the awarded money. Additionally, in a case where many plaintiffs sue the defendant simultaneously, the chances are high for the earlier plant to receive damages if the business or defendant goes bankrupt. The class action will ensure that the damages are spread amongst the plaintiffs.
Additionally, a class action helps in collecting and various small claims at the same time. The judge will listen to the defendant and the plaintiffs in determining the party that wins the case. When the plaintiffs win, the judge will decide on the recovery and compensation for the class members.
Find a Class Action Attorney Near Me
Filing a class action lawsuit may be complicated. Before starting a class-action case, you need to speak with an experienced attorney. Notably, Consumer Alert Now is here to help in determining whether your class action lawsuit could be filed. When you suffer severe injuries from a pressure cooker explosion, you deserve fair compensation for the damages. The pressure cooker manufacturing companies should uphold high care standards for maintaining consumer safety to avoid liability in a pressure cooker explosion.
For proper court process, you should join a class action lawsuit for seeking compensation for injuries sustained. If you or your loved one obtains injuries from pressure cooker explosions, you need the assistance of an attorney to help you navigate your case. At Consumer Alert Now, we focus on giving the best legal guidance on the pressure cooker explosion. If you are in the US, call us at 800-511-0747 for a free case evaluation.
