Oster Countertop Oven Lawsuit Claims Recalled Device Caused Third Degree Burns

Recent Oster countertop oven recall warns device doors may detach, leading to reports of serious burn injuries and a growing number of lawsuits.

A product liability lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of an Oster countertop oven, alleging a defective design caused the appliance to inflict severe burn injuries during normal use.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Victoria Zanetti in Colorado District Court on January 30. It names Sunbeam Products Inc., Sunbeam-Oster Company Inc. and various unidentified entities as defendants. The case was later removed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on April 6.

Zanetti filed the lawsuit after an Oster countertop oven allegedly malfunctioned during normal use, causing the door to fail and exposing her to extreme heat and hot contents.

Manufactured by Sunbeam Products, Oster countertop ovens are marketed as convenient kitchen appliances designed to bake, broil and toast food items on a small scale. However, a recent Oster Countertop French Door Oven recall indicates certain devices’ doors may detach or fail, allowing hot surfaces or contents to come into contact with users.

Similar incidents have prompted additional injury reports leading to Oster oven recall lawsuits, with plaintiffs alleging the manufacturer failed to properly test the products, identify foreseeable hazards, or warn consumers about the risk of burns.

Oster Countertop Oven Burn Injury Allegations

According to the complaint, Zanetti was using an Oster countertop oven, model TSSTTVFDXL, in a routine manner when the device allegedly malfunctioned, causing the door to fail and exposing her to dangerously high temperatures and hot contents. The incident resulted in immediate and severe second- and third-degree burn injuries to her hand.

Zanetti’s burns required extensive medical treatment, including hospitalization and surgical intervention, which may result in permanent scarring and long-term complications.

The lawsuit indicates the defect that caused Zanetti’s burns is linked to the same door failure issues identified in the recall, which included the TSSTTVFDXL model.

As a result, the filing alleges the appliance posed an unreasonable risk of burn injuries due to defects in its design and construction, which were known or should have been known to the manufacturer prior to the incident.

The complaint further states that the risks associated with the oven were not adequately disclosed to consumers, leaving users unaware of the potential for serious harm.

“The medical treatment received by Plaintiff was significant, excruciating, and traumatic; she quickly sought treatment and was later was admitted to the burn ward at UCHeath Medical Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, where she was treated for five days, received skin graft surgery, and other treatment for her burned hand.”

— Victoria Zanetti v. Sunbeam Products Inc.

Zanetti raises allegations of design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, negligence, breach of implied warranty, breach of express warranty and violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

She seeks damages for medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other losses.

Sign up for more legal news that could affect you or your family.