Denver, CO personal injury attorney George McLaughlin talks about who you can sue for injuries caused by an exploding pressure cooker. He explains that a claim can always be brought against the manufacturer of a product; however, most of these products are manufactured in China, and jurisdictional limitations under state law often prevent plaintiffs from suing foreign manufacturers in U.S. courts. In many states, if the actual manufacturer cannot be brought into court, liability can instead be pursued against the company that brands or markets the product. For example, Sunbeam sells pressure cookers under the Crock-Pot name, and even though the units are manufactured in China, Sunbeam can typically be held legally responsible. Similarly, Instant Pot products are manufactured by Instant Brands, based in Canada, and have been subject to U.S. litigation, although the company is currently in bankruptcy, which complicates recovery.

In cases where the manufacturer or brand cannot be pursued, many states allow claims against the retailer or seller of the product. This means that if a pressure cooker was purchased from major retailers such as Target, Walmart, or through online platforms like Amazon, the seller may be held liable regardless of whether the manufacturer is foreign or insolvent. The specific avenues for recovery, including potential claims through bankruptcy courts, depend on the state law governing the case and the status of the manufacturer or brand.