Lawsuit Alleges Farberware 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker From Walmart Exploded, Caused Partial Thickness Burns

Pressure cooker burn injury lawsuit comes amid a growing number of similar claims being pursued over defective lid safety locks, which may allow appliances to open while still under pressure.

A West Virginia woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging a Walmart Farberware pressure cooker exploded after it malfunctioned and opened while still pressurized, ejecting scalding food and liquid that left her with severe burn injuries.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Carol Moore in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arkansas on June 8, naming Walmart Inc. as the defendant.

Moore claims the company knew or should have known about certain defects involving Farberware pressure cooker lids yet put profits over safety.

Pressure Cooker Explosion Risks

The Farberware 7-in-1 programmable pressure cooker is a consumer kitchen appliance exclusively sold and distributed by Walmart. It uses high pressure to rapidly cook food. Like other electric pressure cooker brands, it is designed with a safety feature that is intended to prevent the lid from opening while the device is pressurized.

If the lid opens before internal pressure has been released, scalding liquid, food and steam can erupt from the pot with extreme force. As a result, users standing near the appliance may suffer severe burns to their bodies.

Hundreds of burns injuries have been reported by consumers after electric pressure cookers have failed. In light of these concerns, a growing number of pressure cooker injury lawsuits have been filed in recent years, each involving similar allegations of design defects and lid safety lock failures.

Farberware Pressure Cooker Injury Allegations

In the lawsuit, Moore indicates she was using the Farberware 7-in-1 pressure cooker on July 4, 2024, when the lid suddenly exploded off the pot during normal use. The complaint indicates the incident caused scalding contents to be ejected onto Moore’s body.

As a result of the pressure cooker explosion, Moore required immediate medical treatment and suffered partial thickness burns. She underwent several medical procedures, wound debridement and has permanent scarring.

The filing claims Farberware pressure cookers contain design defects that may allow the lid to be removed while the device remains pressurized, simultaneously giving users the false impression that pressure has been released.

Moore indicates this defect is unreasonably dangerous to consumers and that Walmart failed to take reasonable care in designing, testing and promoting the devices. Additionally, she claims the company has failed to redesign the Farberware devices even though there are safer alternatives.

“Defendant knew or should have known of these defects but has nevertheless put profit ahead of safety by continuing to sell its pressure cookers to consumers, failing to warn said consumers of the serious risks posed by the defects, and failing to recall the dangerously defective pressure cookers regardless of the risk of significant injuries to Plaintiff and consumers like her.”

— Carol Moore v. Walmart Inc.

The complaint raises allegations of strict liability for design defect, failure to warn and negligence. It seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.

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