An injury from a faulty pressure cooker can leave you feeling completely powerless. You’re dealing with physical pain, emotional distress, and the financial stress of unexpected medical bills. It’s easy to feel like you have no options against a big company that put a dangerous product on the market. But you have rights, and you can take action. This article will guide you through the immediate steps to protect your health and your claim, explain the types of compensation available, and show you how a dedicated pressure cooker injury lawyer can help you get the justice you deserve.

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Key Takeaways

  • It’s Usually the Product, Not You: Stop blaming yourself. Pressure cooker accidents are almost always caused by design or manufacturing defects, making the company that sold the appliance responsible for your injuries.
  • Take Two Critical First Steps: Immediately seek medical attention to treat your injuries and create an official record. Then, save the faulty pressure cooker and all its parts without altering them—it’s the most important piece of evidence you have.
  • Demand Full Compensation for All Your Losses: You have the right to seek payment for more than just your initial ER visit. A strong claim covers everything from lost income and future medical care to your physical pain and emotional distress.

What to Know About Pressure Cooker Injuries

Pressure cookers are meant to make life in the kitchen easier, but when they malfunction, the results can be terrifying and life-altering. A faulty appliance can turn from a helpful tool into a source of serious harm in an instant. If you’ve been hurt by one, you’re likely dealing with pain, unexpected medical bills, and a lot of questions. Understanding what causes these accidents and what your rights are is the first step toward getting the support you need to recover.

Common Injuries from Defective Pressure Cookers

When a pressure cooker fails, it can explode, spraying scalding hot food and liquid with incredible force. This often leads to severe second and third-degree burns, which can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, particularly on the face, arms, and chest. The violent nature of the explosion can also cause serious eye injuries, sometimes resulting in partial or even complete vision loss. These are not minor accidents; they are significant personal injury events that can have a lasting impact on your life, requiring extensive medical treatment and a long road to recovery.

Why Do Pressure Cookers Fail?

These incidents are rarely due to user error. More often than not, the problem lies with the appliance itself. Many electric pressure cookers have significant design or manufacturing flaws that compromise their built-in safety features. Common issues include faulty pressure release valves that fail to regulate internal pressure, defective gaskets that don’t create a proper seal, and safety locks that can be opened while the contents are still under extreme pressure. These are considered defective products, and when they fail, the manufacturer can and should be held responsible for the harm they cause. You shouldn’t have to pay the price for a company’s negligence.

Know Your Legal Rights After an Injury

Manufacturers have a legal and ethical duty to ensure their products are safe for consumers to use as intended. When they sell a product with dangerous flaws that leads to injury, they can be held legally accountable for the consequences. If you were hurt by a faulty pressure cooker, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The best way to understand your options is to speak with an attorney who has experience with these specific types of cases. We can help you determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through the legal process during a free, no-obligation consultation.

How Long You Have to File a Claim

It’s important to know that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after an injury. This deadline is called the “statute of limitations,” and it varies from state to state. In most places, you have between two and four years from the date of the injury to file a claim, but some states have much shorter deadlines—as little as one year. If you miss this window, you may lose your right to seek compensation forever. That’s why it’s so critical to act quickly after an accident. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible ensures you can protect your legal rights before time runs out.

How a Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyer Can Help

After a traumatic injury, the thought of taking on a large corporation can feel overwhelming. This is where a skilled lawyer becomes your most important ally. They handle the complex legal work so you can focus on healing. An experienced attorney does more than just file paperwork; they build a comprehensive strategy to secure the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. They manage every detail, from the initial investigation to negotiating with the manufacturer’s legal team. With a dedicated lawyer on your side, you can feel confident that your rights are protected every step of the way.

Investigate Your Case Thoroughly

The first thing a good lawyer will do is launch a thorough investigation into your accident. They will advise you to preserve the defective pressure cooker, as it is the single most important piece of evidence in your case. Your legal team will also gather all necessary documentation, including your medical records, photos of your injuries, and any proof of purchase or user manuals. This meticulous evidence collection is the foundation of a strong personal injury claim. They piece together the full story of what happened, ensuring no detail is overlooked in proving the manufacturer’s fault.

Negotiate with Manufacturers on Your Behalf

Most pressure cooker lawsuits are settled out of court because manufacturers want to avoid public trials that could damage their reputation. However, their initial settlement offers are often far too low. An experienced lawyer knows the tactics these companies use and will handle all negotiations for you. They will counter lowball offers and fight for a settlement that truly reflects the extent of your injuries and losses. This prevents you from being taken advantage of by corporate legal teams whose primary goal is to protect their company from financial and reputational harm, sometimes at the expense of consumer safety, which can border on consumer fraud.

Build a Strong Product Liability Claim

Building a successful case requires more than just showing you were injured. Your lawyer must construct a solid product liability claim, proving that the pressure cooker had a design or manufacturing flaw that made it unreasonably dangerous. This involves demonstrating how the defect directly caused your injuries and documenting the full scope of your damages—from medical bills to emotional distress. An attorney specializing in defective products understands the specific evidence needed to prove negligence, such as showing the company knew about the flaw but failed to issue a recall or warn consumers.

Work with Industry Experts

A key advantage of hiring a pressure cooker injury lawyer is gaining access to their network of industry experts. Your attorney may consult with engineers to analyze the appliance and pinpoint the exact failure, medical specialists to provide testimony about the severity and long-term impact of your burns, and financial experts to calculate your total lost wages and future earning capacity. These expert opinions add significant weight to your claim and are crucial for securing fair compensation. Don’t accept an offer from an insurance company before you talk to a lawyer who can assemble the right team for your case.

What to Do Immediately After a Pressure Cooker Injury

When a kitchen appliance explodes, the moments that follow are chaotic and painful. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Taking a few specific actions right away can protect your health and preserve your legal rights. Think of this as your checklist for the immediate aftermath of a pressure cooker accident. By focusing on these steps, you can ensure you’re taking care of yourself while also laying the groundwork for a potential personal injury claim. Your priority is your well-being, but these actions are also critical for holding a negligent manufacturer accountable for putting a dangerous product on the market.

Seek Medical Attention First

Before you do anything else, please get medical help. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s essential to have them checked by a doctor. Go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room and explain exactly what happened. Burns from scalding hot liquid can be severe and may require specialized treatment to prevent infection and minimize scarring. Getting immediate care ensures you’re safe and properly treated. It also creates an official medical record of your injuries, which becomes a vital piece of evidence. This record formally documents the extent of the harm you suffered and connects it directly to the pressure cooker incident.

Document the Details

Once you are safe, try to document everything you can. Use your phone to take photos and videos of the scene. Capture images of the pressure cooker itself, the lid, the seal, and any other parts that may have failed. Take pictures of the kitchen, including the food that exploded onto the walls, ceiling, and floor. Most importantly, take clear photos of your injuries from several angles. Continue to photograph your injuries over the following days and weeks to show the healing process or the severity of any scarring. Also, take a few minutes to write down everything you remember about what happened leading up to the explosion.

Preserve the Pressure Cooker and Scene

Your instinct might be to throw the faulty pressure cooker in the trash, but please don’t. That appliance is the single most important piece of evidence in your case. Do not clean it, tamper with it, or try to put it back together. Place the cooker and all of its parts in a box or bag and store it somewhere safe where it won’t be disturbed. This allows experts to examine it later to determine exactly why it malfunctioned. Proving that the appliance was faulty is the foundation of a defective products claim, and having the product itself is the best way to do that.

Report the Defect

To help protect others from being harmed, consider reporting the incident to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You can file a report on their website, detailing what happened with your pressure cooker. This creates an official record of the product’s failure and alerts the agency to a potentially widespread danger. While this step doesn’t directly impact your personal lawsuit, it contributes to public safety and can help establish a pattern of negligence on the part of the manufacturer. It shows you’re not the only one and can sometimes trigger a wider investigation or product recall.

Talk to a Lawyer

After you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs and preserved the evidence, it’s time to understand your legal options. Navigating a claim against a large corporation is complex, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone, especially while you’re recovering. An experienced lawyer can handle all communications with the manufacturer and their insurance company, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your claim. At Counsel Hound, we offer a free consultation to listen to your story and explain your rights. You can contact us anytime, and remember, you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover?

If you were hurt by a defective pressure cooker, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses. This goes far beyond the initial hospital bill. A successful claim accounts for the full impact the injury has had on your life—physically, emotionally, and financially. The goal is to recover damages that cover not only your current expenses but also the future challenges you may face because of the incident.

When you file a defective products claim, you can seek compensation for two main types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the tangible financial losses with clear price tags, like medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages are just as real but harder to quantify, covering things like your physical pain and emotional trauma. An experienced lawyer will help you identify every single loss to ensure you demand the full and fair compensation you are owed for your injuries.

Current and Future Medical Bills

Injuries from a pressure cooker explosion are often severe, leading to extensive medical treatment. You can recover costs for everything related to your care, starting from the ambulance ride and emergency room visit. This includes expenses for hospital stays, surgeries (like skin grafts for severe burns), physical therapy, rehabilitation, and prescription medications.

Because these injuries can cause lasting nerve damage, scarring, and disfigurement, your medical needs might not end after you leave the hospital. Compensation should also cover anticipated future medical care, including follow-up appointments, additional procedures, and psychological counseling to address any trauma from the event. A thorough claim accounts for the complete cost of your medical injury.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

A serious injury almost always means time away from work. You are entitled to compensation for the income you lost while recovering. This includes any salary, wages, bonuses, and other benefits you missed out on because you were unable to perform your job duties. Be sure to keep records of your time off and pay stubs to document this loss accurately.

In some cases, an injury can permanently affect your ability to work in the same capacity as before. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your future earning potential, you can seek damages for “loss of earning capacity.” This compensation is designed to cover the difference in income you will experience over your lifetime due to the injury.

Pain and Suffering

Some of the most significant impacts of a pressure cooker injury aren’t financial. “Pain and suffering” is a legal term for the physical and emotional distress you’ve endured. This includes the actual physical pain from your burns or other injuries, as well as the emotional trauma, anxiety, or PTSD that can follow such a violent and unexpected event.

Compensation for pain and suffering also acknowledges things like permanent scarring, disfigurement, and the general loss of enjoyment of life. While no amount of money can erase what happened, it provides a form of justice for the immense human cost of your injury. This is a core part of any personal injury claim and recognizes the profound, personal toll the incident has taken on you.

Long-Term Care Costs

For victims with catastrophic injuries, the need for care can extend for years or even a lifetime. If your injury resulted in a permanent disability, you may be able to recover compensation for long-term care costs. This is different from standard medical bills and is meant to cover ongoing support you may need to manage your daily life.

Examples include the cost of an in-home health aide, residence in an assisted living facility, or specialized medical equipment. It can also cover necessary modifications to your home, such as installing ramps or accessible bathrooms, to accommodate your new physical limitations. These costs ensure you have the support you need to live as comfortably and independently as possible.

Damage to Your Property

When a pressure cooker explodes, it doesn’t just injure people; it can cause significant damage to your home. The force of the explosion can send hot liquids and shrapnel flying, destroying kitchen cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances. You have the right to seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing any personal property that was damaged in the incident.

While your physical recovery is the top priority, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of fixing your home. Make sure to take photos of the damage before cleaning up and keep any receipts for repairs or replacement items. If you have questions about what can be included in your claim, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss the details.

Clearing Up Common Legal Myths

When you’re dealing with an injury, the last thing you need is misinformation. The legal world can seem confusing, and common myths often stop people from getting the help they deserve. Let’s clear the air on a few things you might have heard about product injury cases so you can move forward with confidence. Understanding the truth is the first step toward securing the compensation you need to recover.

Myth: You Have to Join a Class Action Lawsuit

Many people assume that when a product like a pressure cooker injures multiple people, the only option is to join a massive class action lawsuit. That’s not the case here. There isn’t one single class action for pressure cooker injuries. Instead, these cases are filed individually, which is actually much better for you. An individual claim allows your compensation to be based on your specific injuries and circumstances. This personalized approach means your settlement can accurately reflect your medical bills, pain, and suffering, rather than being a small piece of a larger, generalized payout. Your story is unique, and your personal injury case should be, too.

Myth: A Recall Prevents You From Suing

It’s easy to think that if a manufacturer issues a recall, you’ve lost your chance to file a claim. However, a recall doesn’t give a company a free pass for the harm its product caused. The reality is that recalls are often ineffective. Many people never find out about them, and recalled products can sometimes remain on store shelves or be sold by third parties online. If you were injured by a defective product, you may still have a valid claim for damages, whether a recall was issued or not. The company is still responsible for putting a dangerous item into the market.

Myth: Your Injury Isn’t “Serious Enough”

Please don’t make the mistake of downplaying your own pain. Some people hesitate to seek legal help because they believe their injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant a lawsuit. But any injury that causes you pain, medical expenses, or emotional distress is significant. Settlement amounts vary widely based on the severity of the burns and scarring. While minor burns might result in smaller settlements, serious injuries like third-degree burns or permanent disfigurement can lead to substantial compensation, sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. The only way to know what your case is worth is to have it evaluated by a professional. You can contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.

Myth: You Can Handle the Case Yourself

While you technically have the right to represent yourself, going up against a large corporation and its team of experienced lawyers on your own is an uphill battle. Product liability cases are incredibly complex. They require a deep understanding of legal procedures, evidence gathering, and negotiation tactics. An experienced lawyer knows how to build a strong case, anticipate the manufacturer’s arguments, and fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. Trying to manage it all yourself while you’re also recovering from an injury can be overwhelming and may result in a much lower settlement, or no settlement at all. Having a proven attorney from our network on your side makes all the difference.

Pressure Cooker Brands Facing Lawsuits

It’s easy to assume that a product sold by a major retailer is safe, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Many popular pressure cooker brands have been named in lawsuits after their products caused serious injuries. These lawsuits often claim that the companies sold defective products with design flaws that put consumers at risk.

From lids that unlock while the contents are still under extreme pressure to faulty seals that cause explosions, the reasons for these failures are varied. What they have in common is that they can leave victims with devastating burns and other life-altering injuries. If you were hurt by a pressure cooker, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone. Below are some of the brands that have faced legal action from consumers just like you.

Instant Brands

The Instant Pot became a household name, but its parent company, Instant Brands, has faced significant financial and legal trouble. The company filed for bankruptcy in June 2023, which adds a layer of complexity for anyone injured by their products. When a company files for bankruptcy, injury claims are often handled through the bankruptcy court. This can be a complicated process, and it sometimes means that victims receive smaller settlements than they might have otherwise. An experienced attorney can help you understand how this might affect your personal injury claim.

Sunbeam Products

Sunbeam Products, the company behind the Crock-Pot Express pressure cooker, has also been the subject of numerous lawsuits. These legal actions point to dangerous design flaws that allow the pressure cooker to open while its contents are still under pressure, leading to the ejection of scalding hot food and liquid. These malfunctions can cause severe burns and other serious injuries. In one recent case, a federal judge awarded $9.1 million to a woman who was badly burned by her Sunbeam Crock-Pot Express, showing that courts are holding the company accountable for the harm its products cause.

Ninja Kitchen

Ninja Kitchen, a brand under the SharkNinja umbrella, has faced major legal issues concerning its popular Ninja Foodi pressure cookers. The company recalled approximately 1.85 million units because of a critical defect. The flaw could allow the lid to be opened while the unit was still pressurized, creating a risk of severe burns. More than 100 burn injuries were reported in connection with this defect, highlighting a significant failure in product safety. If you were harmed by a Ninja pressure cooker, you may have a valid claim for a defective product.

Power Pressure Cooker

Manufacturers have a legal and ethical responsibility to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries that result. This duty is at the heart of many lawsuits filed against the makers of the Power Pressure Cooker. These devices have been linked to serious burn injuries, allegedly due to defects that the company should have caught and corrected. Holding these manufacturers accountable is what we do at Counsel Hound, and our team is here to help you explore your options. You can learn more about our firm and our commitment to clients.

NuWave LLC

Even lesser-known brands can have dangerous flaws. NuWave LLC is facing a federal lawsuit over its NuWave Nutri-Pot 6Q Digital Pressure Cooker. The lawsuit alleges that the product was defective and caused significant injuries to a user. This case serves as a reminder that a defect can exist in any brand or model, not just the most popular ones. If you were injured by a NuWave pressure cooker or any other brand, it’s crucial to have your case evaluated. You can contact us for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Tristar Products

Tristar Products, another company involved in pressure cooker litigation, has tried to prevent injury claims from going to court by forcing them into arbitration. Arbitration is a private process that often favors corporations and can limit a victim’s rights and potential compensation. Fortunately, courts have recently rejected these attempts, allowing victims to pursue their defective product cases in front of a judge and jury. This is a significant victory for consumers, ensuring they have a fair chance to present their case and hold companies like Tristar accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Mueller Austria

While major brands often make headlines, defects can be found in products from any manufacturer, including those like Mueller Austria. An injury caused by a faulty pressure cooker is serious regardless of the brand name on the device. If you were burned or otherwise harmed by any pressure cooker, you have legal rights. The most important step is to understand your options and the potential for a claim. We recommend speaking with an attorney who can review the details of your incident. You can contact us anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation to get the answers you need.

What to Expect from Your Case’s Timeline

The legal process can feel like a mystery, especially when you’re focused on healing. While every case is unique, most product liability claims follow a similar path. Knowing the key stages can help you feel more in control and understand the work happening behind the scenes. From building your case to fighting for a fair outcome, here’s a general roadmap of what your pressure cooker injury claim might look like.

Gathering Evidence

This is the foundation of your entire case. Your legal team will get to work immediately, collecting all the proof needed to build a powerful claim. This isn’t just about having the defective pressure cooker; it’s about telling a complete story. We’ll gather your medical records to document the severity of your injuries, like burns or disfigurement. We will also work to find proof that the pressure cooker had a design or manufacturing flaw that made it unsafe. Finally, we’ll search for evidence showing the company knew about the defect but failed to warn consumers or issue a recall. This thorough investigation is crucial for establishing a strong defective products case.

Negotiating a Settlement

Most pressure cooker lawsuits don’t end up in a dramatic courtroom trial. Manufacturers often prefer to settle these cases quietly to avoid negative press that could damage their brand’s reputation. This is where having a skilled negotiator is essential. Your lawyer will present the evidence to the manufacturer’s legal team and insurance company, making a clear and compelling argument for the compensation you deserve. The goal is to reach a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost income, and suffering without the time and stress of a full trial. Our team at Counsel Hound is committed to advocating for you every step of the way.

Preparing for Court Dates

Even though most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Why? Because it puts us in the strongest possible negotiating position. When manufacturers know we are ready and willing to face them in court, they are far more likely to offer a serious settlement. If they refuse to be reasonable, we won’t hesitate to take your fight to a judge and jury. This phase involves filing legal documents, scheduling hearings, and preparing you for any necessary court appearances. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer means you can be confident that all deadlines are met and every detail is handled correctly.

Waiting on the Opposing Side

One of the most frustrating parts of any lawsuit can be the waiting. Legal processes have built-in timelines, and sometimes the other side will use delays as a tactic. It’s also important to act quickly from the start. Each state has a law called the “statute of limitations” that sets a strict deadline for filing a lawsuit, which can be as short as one year. This is why it’s so important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. We can manage the deadlines and keep pressure on the opposing side, ensuring your case continues to move forward. If you have questions about your specific situation, don’t wait to contact us for a free consultation.

How to Choose the Right Lawyer for Your Case

After a traumatic injury, finding the right legal support can feel like another overwhelming task. But the lawyer you choose is your most important partner in this process. You need someone who not only understands the law but also understands what you’re going through. The right attorney will handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery. Think of this as building your team—you want an expert in your corner who has the right skills, a strong history of success, and a communication style that gives you confidence. Taking the time to vet your options carefully is a critical step toward securing the justice and compensation you deserve. This guide will walk you through exactly what to look for.

Find a Lawyer with Product Liability Experience

Not all personal injury lawyers are the same. A case involving a defective pressure cooker falls under a specific area of law called product liability. This field has its own set of rules and requires a deep understanding of how products are designed, manufactured, and marketed. You need an attorney who knows how to prove a product was unsafe and hold the manufacturer accountable. When you contact a lawyer who specializes in these cases, they can help you understand your rights and fight for fair payment. An experienced product liability lawyer will know the common tactics manufacturers use to avoid responsibility and will be prepared to counter them effectively, giving your case a much stronger foundation from the start.

Look at Their Track Record of Success

When you’re looking for a lawyer, their past performance is a strong indicator of their future success. Don’t be shy about asking for case results or looking for testimonials from previous clients. A reputable firm should be transparent about its history. For example, some firms have secured massive verdicts for their clients, like the $55.5 million win for a person severely burned by an exploding pressure cooker. While every case is different, a history of significant wins shows that the legal team has the resources and expertise to take on large corporations and win. At Counsel Hound, we connect you with proven attorneys who have a demonstrated history of achieving serious results for their clients.

Understand the “No Fee Until We Win” Promise

The fear of legal fees should never stop you from seeking justice. Many of the best personal injury law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. This is a “no fee until we win” promise that removes the financial risk from your shoulders. Essentially, these firms work on a ‘contingency’ basis, which means they only get paid if you do—taking a pre-agreed-upon percentage of the settlement or verdict they win for you. If they don’t win your case, you owe them nothing for their time and effort. This arrangement allows you to access top-tier legal representation without any upfront costs, ensuring your case is judged on its merits, not on your ability to pay.

Make the Most of Your Free Consultation

Most product liability lawyers offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. This is your opportunity to interview them and see if they’re the right fit for you. These are free, private talks where you can share the details of your injury and learn if you have a strong claim for compensation. To prepare, write down a list of questions you have about the lawyer’s experience, their strategy for your case, and what you can expect. Bring any evidence you have, like photos of the pressure cooker and your injuries, medical records, and the receipt for the appliance. Taking this step allows you to make an informed decision with no risk. You can schedule your free consultation with our network of attorneys today.

Ask About Their Communication Style

A strong legal case is important, but so is a strong lawyer-client relationship. You’ll be working closely with your legal team for months or even years, so you need to feel comfortable with their communication style. You deserve a lawyer who will treat you with respect and keep you informed every step of the way. During your initial consultation, ask how they handle client communication. Find out how often you can expect updates and who your primary point of contact will be. A firm that emphasizes clear communication and cares about its clients will make a stressful process much more manageable. You should feel like a valued partner, not just another case number.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have the receipt or the original box for my pressure cooker? That’s a very common situation, so don’t worry. While a receipt can be helpful, it is not essential for a successful claim. Your legal team can use other methods to establish proof of purchase and ownership, such as credit card statements or even the serial number on the appliance itself. The most critical piece of evidence is the defective pressure cooker, not its packaging. Focus on preserving the appliance and let your attorney handle the work of tracking down the other details.

How much will it cost me to hire a lawyer for my injury? You will not pay any upfront fees. We connect you with attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis, which is a straightforward promise: you don’t pay any legal fees unless and until we win your case. The lawyer’s payment comes from a pre-agreed percentage of the final settlement or court award. This approach allows you to access top-tier legal help without any financial risk, ensuring your case is judged on its merits, not on your ability to pay.

My burns healed and don’t seem that bad now. Is it still worth pursuing a claim? It’s completely understandable to question this, but you shouldn’t downplay what you went through. Even burns that seem to have healed can leave behind permanent scarring, discoloration, or nerve damage that becomes more apparent over time. Furthermore, a claim isn’t just about the physical injury; it’s also about holding the manufacturer accountable for putting a dangerous product on the market. A free consultation can help you understand the full value of your claim, including compensation for your initial pain and any lasting effects.

What happens if I threw the pressure cooker away after the accident? This can make a case more challenging, but it doesn’t automatically mean you can’t file a claim. While the appliance itself is the best evidence, an experienced lawyer may be able to build a case using other proof. This could include photos of the scene and your injuries, medical records that document the cause of your burns, and testimony from experts who can speak to the known defects of that particular model. It’s still worth discussing your situation with an attorney to see what options are available.

Will I have to go to court and testify? This is a major source of anxiety for many people, but the reality is that the vast majority of pressure cooker injury cases are settled out of court. Manufacturers are often eager to avoid the negative publicity of a public trial and will negotiate a settlement instead. While your lawyer will prepare your case as if it’s going to trial to ensure the strongest negotiating position, the most likely outcome is a settlement reached without you ever having to step inside a courtroom.