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Certainly, I have handled cases against various manufacturers, addressing issues with pressure cookers. The industry standard mandates that a pressure cooker lid should not be openable when the contents are pressurized. An Underwriters Laboratory standard enforces the requirement for pressure cookers to incorporate a safety interlock preventing lid opening under pressure. If a company distributes a pressure cooker that can be opened while pressurized, it violates the industry standard.
Another concern, particularly with Sunbeam Crock-Pot pressure cookers, involves the lid placement. If individuals mistakenly position the lid 180 degrees opposite from its intended orientation, the product, by design, should not pressurize. However, in cases I’ve encountered, notably with the Sunbeam model, placing the lid incorrectly still resulted in the pot heating up and pressurizing. This poses a significant risk as the improperly positioned lid can blow off, leading to potential hazards.
I have tested this scenario personally, finding that placing the Sunbeam lid 180° opposite from the correct position allows the pot to heat up and pressurize. This flaw could lead to dangerous situations where the lid might blow off or cause the pot to continue heating. I’ve even witnessed a video where the lid vibrated, and in one case, a client experienced the lid blowing off, an incident that we captured on video as he approached the pot after hearing unusual noises from the kitchen.
Denver, CO personal injury attorney George McLaughlin talks about who you can sue for injuries caused by a pressure cooker. Certainly, the attorney has a history of handling cases against various manufacturers, specifically addressing concerns related to pressure cookers. Emphasizing the industry standard, it is asserted that a pressure cooker lid should remain unopenable when the contents are pressurized. This standard is reinforced by the Underwriters Laboratory, which mandates the inclusion of a safety interlock preventing lid opening under pressure. Any distribution of pressure cookers that can be opened while pressurized is considered a violation of this industry standard.
A notable issue, especially with Sunbeam Crock-Pot pressure cookers, revolves around the correct placement of the lid. If individuals mistakenly position the lid 180 degrees opposite from its intended orientation, the product, designed to recognize this misplacement, should not pressurize. However, instances have been encountered, particularly with the Sunbeam model, where placing the lid incorrectly still led to the pot heating up and pressurizing. This introduces a significant risk as the improperly positioned lid can potentially blow off, creating hazardous situations.
The attorney personally conducted tests, confirming that placing the Sunbeam lid 180° opposite from the correct position allows the pot to heat up and pressurize. This identified flaw has the potential to lead to dangerous situations, where the lid might blow off or cause the pot to continue heating. The attorney has even witnessed a video where the lid vibrated, and in one case, a client experienced the lid blowing off—an incident captured on video as the client approached the pot after hearing unusual noises from the kitchen.