AirFryer Lawsuit Alleges Defective Emeril Lagasse Lid Caused Severe Burns Across Woman’s Body

Similar concerns have been raised in numerous pressure cooker lawsuits, which claim defective lid safety features allowed devices to be opened while contents were still pressurized.

A Pennsylvania woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging that a defective Emeril Lagasse air fryer lid suddenly released scalding hot contents while she was preparing food, causing severe burn injuries across multiple areas of her body.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Suzette Wade in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on March 4. It names the manufacturer of the Emeril Lagasse Pressure AirFryer, Tristar Products Inc., as the sole defendant.

The Emeril Lagasse Pressure Air Fryer is a multi-function countertop appliance that combines the capabilities of a pressure cooker and an air fryer. It uses a dual-lid system, with one lid for pressure cooking and a separate lid with a heating element and fan that circulates hot air to create a fried-like finish without large amounts of oil.

According to her lawsuit, Wade was using the pressure cooker feature on her AirFryer when the lid allegedly malfunctioned and unexpectedly released extremely hot food and liquids onto her body.

This concern has been raised in numerous other pressure cooker lawsuits filed against manufacturers of modern devices, which were marketed as containing safety features intended make them less dangerous than traditional stovetop models. However, users have suffered devastating injuries when the lids were able to be removed while contents were still pressurized, resulting in first, second and third degree burns, which can cause permanent disfigurement and scarring.

The complaint indicates Wade was operating the Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360 in a normal and intended manner when the incident occurred. However, it claims the design of the lid mechanism allowed pressurized hot contents to escape suddenly when the device was opened.

As a result of the alleged failure, Wade claims she suffered severe burns across multiple areas of her body, including her chest, abdomen and legs, which allegedly required medical treatment and may result in permanent scarring and other long-term complications.

Wade suggests that the defendants failed to properly design the lid system to safely contain hot contents during cooking and failed to warn consumers about the risks associated with opening the appliance while it contained heated food or liquid.

The complaint notes that modern pressure cookers are typically designed with multiple safety features intended to prevent the lid from opening while the contents remain pressurized. These systems often include a lid-locking mechanism, pressure sensors and other safeguards designed to ensure the cooker cannot be opened until all internal pressure has been safely released.

The lawsuit further alleges the appliance failed to comply with recognized industry safety standards for pressure cookers, including UL safety requirements designed to prevent lids from opening while the contents remain pressurized.

Wade also indicates that the manufacturer knew prior to the incident that users had been seriously injured when the pressure lid opened while the cooker’s contents remained pressurized. Despite that knowledge, the lawsuit claims the company failed to issue adequate warnings or recall the product.

“As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiff in this case incurred significant and painful bodily injuries, medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, and diminished enjoyment of life.”

— Suzette Wade v. Tristar Products Inc.

The complaint raises allegations of strict products liability, failure to warn and negligence. It seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish and permanent disfigurement.

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