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Pressure cooker fails to release pressure, boiling contents spew out

Plaintiff was a successful real estate broker in the Pasadena area.  On September 1, 2001, Plaintiff purchased a "Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cooker," Model PC501, through the Home Shopping Network. Dreco LTD., a Korean company, was the actual manufacturer of this product.  Dreco, LTD, was later converted to Daeyang Korea Co., LTD.

 The packaging of the pressure cooker identified a multi-level safety system that prevents the inadvertent opening of the cooker prior to the release of the pressure from inside the cooker.  These representations included: "The WELBILT ELECTRONIC PRESSURE COOKER features 4 safety relief valves.  The pressure releases automatically when cooking is complete"; "Its safe, Self-monitoring system with 4 safety valves and child safety lock"; "Safety valves"; "Locking handle" and "A PRESSURE SENSOR keeps LID locked while under pressure."   The Home Shopping Network marketed this product as a safe product on September 1, 2001 on the HSN television station which induced Plaintiff to purchase the product. 

 On a warm afternoon on September 19, 2001, Plaintiff made some soup in the cooker according to the instructions provided and turned on the pressure cooker.  The alarm on the cooker sounded indicating that the soup was complete and ready to open.  Several minutes went by prior to Plaintiff opening the cooker.  Finally, Plaintiff went to the cooker and slid open the locking latch, which was allegedly designed not to slide unless the pressure was released from the cooker.  Immediately upon releasing the lever, the contents of the cooker exploded out of the cooker engulfing Plaintiff in boiling soup from her neck down to her hips.  The soup exploded out of the cooker with such force that it covered the opposite wall of Plaintiff's kitchen.

 Plaintiff stood in her kitchen in agony from having scalding hot soup burning into her skin, including chest, both breasts, stomach sides, hips, groin, arms and hands.  Plaintiff suffered serious first, second and some third degree burns which required medical care and treatment.  Plaintiff was in complete shock when this occurred but had the presence of mind to place her body in her pool where she remained for many hours.  Plaintiff was taken to the Huntington Medical Foundation for emergency treatment.  Thereafter she followed up with her physician and was referred to a burn center for treatment.  At the burn center the medical staff suggested skin grafts.  Plaintiff refused the suggestion by the burn center in order to allow the skin to heal through the application of medications and ointments.  Plaintiff's decision was clearly the correct decision because the natural healing avoided the painful procedures associated with skin grafts.  

 After many months of recovery, Plaintiff reached a state of recovery from which there was no further progress.  She was left with scarring and reduced sensation in certain areas of her body.  She remained emotionally traumatized from the experience. 

 Plaintiff has incurred approximately $120,000.00 of special damages for medical expenses and loss of earnings.

 Plaintiff settled with HSN for $95,000.00 prior to trial and then received judgment against Dreco, LTD, now Daeyang Korea Co., LTD., for $1,519,078.35.

Awarded: $1,614,078.35

The Inland Empire Law Group is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California and serves clients in San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and Los Angeles County as well as the following cities: Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Etiwanda, Fontana, Ontario, Upland, Montclair, Rialto, Victorville, Colton, Norco, San Bernardino, Riverside, Yucipa, Redlands, Bloomington, Chino, Chino Hills, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Adelanto, Barstow, Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, and San Dimas, Glendora, Diamond Bar, Corona, Grand Terrace, Highland, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Wrightwood, and Moreno Valley.

Inland Empire
Law Group
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Rancho Cucamonga,
California 91730

(909) 481-0100