Walmart Faberware Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Alleges Explosion Caused Severe Burn Injuries

Growing number of product liability claims accuse retailers of selling devices with defective safety features, which have caused consumers to suffer from severe burns in pressure cooker explosions.

A product liability lawsuit alleges that a Farberware-branded pressure cooker sold through Walmart exploded during normal use, causing an Illinois woman to suffer severe injuries that required medical treatment.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Taylor D. Morgan in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on January 13, naming Walmart Inc., formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as the defendant.

Pressure cookers operate by trapping steam inside a sealed chamber, which significantly raises internal pressure and temperature. When safety systems fail, the sudden release of that pressure can cause violent explosions or forcefully eject boiling contents, placing users at risk of serious harm.

Many brands of modern pressure cookers, including certain Faberware designs, are marketed as part of a new generation of electric models providing advanced safety features, which are supposed to prevent the kinds of sudden explosions often seen in older designs. This marketing claims the products include technology intended to keep the lid locked while contents remain pressurized.

However, Morgan’s complaint adds to a growing number of pressure cooker lawsuits now being pursued against the manufacturers of several different popular brands, including SharkNinja, Crock-Pot, Instant Pot, Faberware and others. Each of these complaints raise similar allegations that the advertised safety features failed to prevent pressure cooker explosions, leaving users with severe and sometimes permanent burn injuries.

According to Morgan’s complaint, the incident occurred while she was preparing a routine meal, when the cooker allegedly malfunctioned and forcefully expelled scalding contents.

Morgan claims she suffered painful and permanent burn injuries to her body as a result of the explosion, requiring medical care and follow-up treatment. She alleges the injuries have caused lasting physical pain, scarring and emotional distress.

Farberware Pressure Cooker Explosion

The lawsuit states that the affected Farberware pressure cooker was purchased through Walmart and marketed as a safe, modern kitchen appliance equipped with multiple safety mechanisms intended to prevent pressure-related failures. However, it goes on to claim that those safeguards failed, allowing the cooker to explode or release pressurized contents without warning.

Morgan contends the device was defectively designed because it could be opened while internal pressure remained at dangerous levels. She also alleges inadequate warnings, claiming consumers were not properly informed of the risk that the cooker could malfunction and cause severe burns during ordinary use.

In addition to design defects, the complaint claims Walmart played a significant role in the product’s distribution and marketing, and should be held responsible for selling an unreasonably dangerous appliance to consumers. The filing argues Walmart failed to ensure the product met basic safety standards before offering it for sale.

“As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiff used an unreasonably dangerous pressure cooker, which resulted in significant and painful bodily injuries to Plaintiff.”

— Taylor D. Morgan v. Walmart Inc.

The lawsuit raises allegations of strict liability, negligent design defect, negligent failure to warn, negligence and breach of implied warranty. It is seeking damages for injuries, pain and suffering, as well as economic losses.

Pressure Cooker Burn Injury Lawsuits

The circumstances outlined in Morgan’s complaint are consistent with many other pressure cooker incidents reported in recent years. As a result, ongoing safety concerns have led to a wave of lawsuits and recalls, after regulators and manufacturers identified serious defects that could cause the appliances to malfunction during use.

In 2023, nearly 1 million Insignia pressure cookers sold at Best Buy were recalled, while about 900,000 Sensio pressure cookers were also removed from the market that year. Both recalls were tied to lid-related failures that allowed the devices to open or release contents while still pressurized, increasing the risk of violent explosions and burn injuries.

Similar design issues have been alleged in pressure cookers sold under several major brands, including Farberware, Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot. Individuals injured in pressure cooker explosions may have legal options to seek compensation. Pressure cooker burn injury attorneys handle these cases under contingency fee agreements, and consultations are always free. 

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