Experienced Pressure Cooker & Portable Blender Accident Attorneys
Cooking should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, but, unfortunately, accidents can happen. Kitchen accidents involving pressure cookers and blenders can result in severe injuries, from burns and lacerations to more serious consequences like permanent disfigurement or disabilities and wrongful death.
Over the last decade, manufacturers have marketed pressure cookers as a safe and efficient method for quickly preparing food. However, a growing number of individuals are now reporting instances of dangerous pressure cooker explosions, resulting in severe burns and other significant injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a nationwide recall of 1,000,000 pressure cookers due to concerns about burn hazards. Furthermore, Sunbeam® brand pressure cookers recalled over 900,000 crock pots due to the risk of severe burns and catastrophic explosion-related injuries prompted by pressure cooker lawsuits.
In December 2023, BlendJet® issued a voluntary recall for 4,800,000 BlendJet2 blenders, citing concerns about overheating and blade breakage. The CPSC verified that these blenders pose a heightened risk of fire hazards and lacerations due to overheating. The recall was prompted by complaints regarding overheating, component breakage, and injuries associated with BlendJet blenders.
With over 35 years of experience in personal injury law, our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented numerous clients in kitchen appliance accident cases. We aren’t afraid to take on big corporations to protect your rights to compensation and file a pressure cooker or portable blender lawsuit on your behalf. We understand the complexities of product liability law and have the expertise to hold negligent manufacturers and other responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Contact us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free consultation.
What Would Make a Pressure Cooker or Portable Blender Explode?
Despite their widespread use, these devices can pose serious safety risks if they malfunction. Here is how they can explode.
1. Design Flaws
Pressure cookers and portable blenders may be prone to design flaws that compromise their safety. Weak seals, faulty pressure release mechanisms, and inadequate construction materials can all contribute to the risk of explosion. If a manufacturer cuts corners during production or fails to adhere to rigorous quality control standards, defects may increase the risk of explosion.
2. Manufacturing Defects
Errors or defects during the manufacturing process can weaken the structural integrity of pressure cookers and blenders, making them susceptible to catastrophic failures. These defects may involve substandard materials, improper assembly, or deviations from design specifications, resulting in compromised safety and heightened explosion risks.
3. Overpressure
Pressure cookers operate by trapping steam generated from boiling liquids, creating internal pressure to cook food quickly. However, excessive pressure buildup beyond the appliance’s design limits can occur for various reasons, such as improper sealing, malfunctioning pressure release valves, or user error. When pressure exceeds safe thresholds, it can lead to catastrophic explosions with devastating consequences.
4. Defective Components
Pressure cookers and portable blenders contain various components, such as seals, valves, and blades, that must function correctly to ensure safety. If any of these components are defective or malfunctioning, they can contribute to the risk of explosion.
5. Malfunctioning Safety Features
Pressure cookers and blenders are equipped with safety features, such as pressure release valves, locking mechanisms, and overload protection systems, to prevent accidents. However, if these safety features malfunction or fail to function as intended, they may inadvertently contribute to explosion incidents. For example, a defective pressure release valve may fail to relieve excessive pressure buildup, leading to an explosion.
Who Is Liable in a Product Liability Case in Houston?
Personal injury claims hinge on proving negligence to establish liability for injuries resulting from an accident. However, product liability claims operate on a different premise. Instead of negligence, these claims often proceed under the principle of strict liability.
In strict liability cases, covered by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 82.002, manufacturers are automatically held accountable for any harm or injuries consumers suffer while using their products in certain situations. Typically, this accountability applies when the product is used as intended and in its original state. The concept of strict liability incentivizes manufacturers to prioritize their products’ safety or face significant legal repercussions.
Sellers may also face liability for injuries resulting from their negligence, intentional wrongdoing, or other actions, such as modifying the product.
Applying a strict liability standard in product liability cases can compel companies to prioritize rigorous testing of their products to prevent harm to consumers.
What Must Be Proven to Win a Pressure Cooker or Portable Blender Case?
Winning a pressure cooker or portable blender case hinges on establishing several crucial elements:
- Injury or Harm: It’s essential to demonstrate actual harm or injury from using the defective product.
- Product Defect: Proving that the product was defective, whether due to design flaws, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings/instructions.
- Causation: Establishing a direct connection between the defect and the resulting injury or harm, illustrating how the flaw directly led to the adverse outcome.
- Intended Use: Showing that the product was used as intended or foreseeable during the injury.
Why Choose Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law?
When faced with the aftermath of a pressure cooker or portable blender accident, selecting the right legal representation is crucial. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we offer unparalleled advantages to our clients, ensuring their interests are vigorously pursued and protected throughout the legal process. Here’s why Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law stands out:
- Experience: Our firm boasts a rich history of successfully representing clients in many accident and injury cases. With more than 35 years of legal experience in Houston, we’ve honed our skills and developed an understanding of the complexities involved in such cases.
- Expertise: We focus on product liability accidents. Our attorneys understand product liability principles and the nuances of bringing claims against manufacturers, distributors, and other parties responsible for injuries caused by faulty products.
- Compassionate Representation: We recognize the emotional and physical toll that accidents can take on victims and their families. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we approach every case with empathy and compassion, striving to alleviate our client’s burdens by offering unwavering support and guidance.
- Resources: Our firm has access to a wealth of resources, including expert witnesses, medical professionals, and investigators, to strengthen your case. We leverage our network and expertise to build a robust legal strategy to maximize your compensation.
- Steadfast Advocacy: When it comes to advocating for our clients, we don’t back down. Our attorneys are known for their tenacity and willingness to go the extra mile to secure justice and fair compensation. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we fight vigorously for your rights.
- Track Record: Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve secured Over $1 billion in client awards to help them rebuild their lives after devastating accidents. We approach each case with a commitment to achieving the best possible results for our clients.
Do you need a legal representative you can trust to support you through a pressure cooker or portable blender accident case? Don’t hesitate. Call us now at (713) 973-8888.
How We Can Help Your Case
Here’s how we can help you build a strong case and pursue the compensation you deserve:
- Case Evaluation: During your free consultation, we will listen to your story, evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident, and provide you with an honest assessment of your legal options.
- Investigation: Our team of experienced investigators will thoroughly investigate the cause of your pressure cooker or portable blender accident. This involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting experts to determine liability.
- Legal Strategy: Based on our findings, we will create a customized legal strategy tailored to the specifics of your case. Whether it involves negotiating a settlement with the responsible parties or pursuing litigation in court, we will work to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
- Negotiation: Leveraging our extensive experience, we negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel. We are committed to advocating for your rights and interests, striving to secure a comprehensive settlement that encompasses your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages.
- Litigation: Should negotiations fail to yield a fair resolution, we are prepared to proceed to trial. With a team of seasoned litigators boasting a history of successful outcomes, we vigorously represent your interests in the courtroom. We are dedicated to advocating for a favorable verdict on your behalf.
What Kind of Damages Can I Get in a Pressure Cooker or Portable Blender Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a pressure cooker or portable blender accident in Houston, you may be entitled to various damages to compensate for your losses. Here are the types of damages you may be eligible to receive:
1. Medical Expenses
This includes compensation for all medical costs related to your accident, such as hospital bills, surgery costs, medication expenses, rehabilitation fees, and future medical expenses for ongoing treatment or therapy.
2. Pain and Suffering
You may be entitled to compensation for the emotional distress and physical pain caused by your injuries. This can include both the immediate pain from the accident and any long-term suffering or limitations you experience as a result.
3. Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can get compensation for the wages you have lost due to missed workdays, reduced hours, or the inability to return to your previous job. Additionally, if your injuries have affected your future earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost earning potential.
4. Property Damage
If your pressure cooker or portable blender accidentally damaged your personal property, such as your kitchen appliances or other belongings, you can seek compensation to repair or replace these items.
5. Disability or Disfigurement
Should your injuries lead to a permanent disability or disfigurement, you may qualify for compensation to address the impact of these changes on your quality of life, ability to work, and emotional well-being.
6. Loss of Consortium
If the accident has strained your relationship with your spouse or partner, they might be eligible for compensation to address the loss of companionship, support, or intimacy stemming from your injuries.
7. Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s actions were especially reckless or egregious, you may receive punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior in the future.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Product Liability in Houston?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you have a two-year window from the date of your injury or illness caused by a defective product to initiate a product liability claim in Texas. (*Always speak directly to an attorney to learn the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.)
According to Texas law, a “products liability action” encompasses claims against manufacturers or sellers aiming to recover damages for death, personal injury, or property damage allegedly resulting from a defective product.
Contact Our Pressure Cooker & Portable Blender Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pressure cooker or portable blender accident, contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact us at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000, and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]