Many kitchens boast a pressure cooker, an appliance that seals food in a pot and cooks it with lots of water and heat. Although users praise the convenience of pressure cookers, they can be one of the most dangerous kitchen appliances.
Pressure cookers build up an extreme amount of heat quickly, and they can easily lead to an accident. The safety features that should prevent the lid from opening during pressurized conditions malfunctions, causing burns and other injuries. They can also cause damage to your home, and in some cases, even death.
Although the companies that make the pressure cookers are responsible for product safety, some do not take this responsibility seriously enough. At Gertler Accident & Injury Attorneys, we have filed numerous claims and helped many victims recover from the devastating effects of pressure cooker accidents. If a malfunctioning cooker pot injures you or a loved one, contact our New Orleans lawyers today.
Common Pressure Cooker Accidents And Injuries
Accidents can be caused by the improper use of a pressure cooker or by mechanical defects in one. Common accidents include over-filling a pressure cooker or removing the lid before pressure dissipates. Defects can involve faulty covers, torn seals or gaskets, or a damaged pot.
In either case, accidents and defects usually lead to the food and liquid in a pressure cooker being shot out at high temperatures. This can result in burns, electrocution, and shrapnel injuries, all of which can cause disfigurement or death.
Burns: If a pressure cooker has a faulty seal or is opened before the pressure lessens, its contents can spill out or explode. Contact burns occur from touching a pot or the spilled contents or steam from the cooker. These burns can range from first-degree burns to deep third-degree burns. Since a spill or explosion can send hot material everywhere, the burns can be widespread across the body as well. In the worst cases, severe burns can cause shock, which can be fatal.
Electrocution: Some modern pressure cookers are electric, which means spills or explosions can electrocute you. Even with non-electric cookers, it is possible that liquid spilling out of a pressure cooker can come into contact with wires around the kitchen. The heat can also damage walls, wiring, circuits, or insulation in your home, leading to a short circuit.
Shrapnel: When too much pressure builds up, some pressure cooker explosions can send metal shrapnel flying at high speeds. This can result in many types of damage, from deep cuts to head or eye injuries.
Our firm has been helping victims of pressure cooker accidents in New Orleans since 1978. We are understanding and compassionate and will work to achieve the best outcome for your case. If you have been injured due to a pressure cooker accident, call the Gertler Law Firm today at (504) 527-8767.
