Lawsuits have been filed by people who were seriously burned by a Magic Chef Pressure Cooker or Multi-Cooker that exploded when they opened the lid.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Magic Chef Pressure Cooker burn injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was burned by a pressure cooker or multi-cooker that exploded, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What Are Magic Chef Pressure Cookers?
Magic Chef® is a brand-name for a variety of kitchen appliances, including pressure cookers and multi-cookers that combine multiple features into one unit. These pressure cookers are advertised to cook food faster and more efficiently by trapping hot steam inside a pot.
Safety Features
Magic Chef Pressure Cookers are designed with multiple safety features, including a twist-off lid that is supposed to lock when the unit is pressurized, and remain locked until all of the pressure is safely released through a valve on the lid.
What is the Problem?
Opening the lid on a pressure cooker that is still pressurized is extremely dangerous, and may result in severe burn injuries. When the lid is opened, trapped pressure is suddenly released — along with sticky food, boiling liquid, and clouds of scalding-hot steam.
What is the Risk?
The risks of being injured by a pressure cooker explosion may include severe burn injuries, including:
- Scalds and widespread steam burns
- 1st-degree burns (only the outermost layer of skin)
- 2nd-degree burns (partial skin-thickness burn injuries)
- 3rd-degree burns (full skin-thickness burns)
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Hospitalization
- Surgery for skin grafts, debridement, or reconstructive surgery
- And more
Magic Chef Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Proceed To Trial
In September 2024, an Illinois federal court ruling allowed a Magic Chef Pressure Cooker Lawsuit to proceed to trial. Based on the testimony of the plaintiff’s expert witness, the judge agreed that there was “circumstantial evidence of a defect” in the lid.
Expert Testifies Pressure Cooker Lid Was Defective
The court allowed the testimony of the expert witness, David M. Rondinone, Ph.D, a mechanical engineer with Berkeley Engineering and Research Inc.
He examined the Magic Chef Pressure Cooker and concluded:
- (a) the mechanical interlock design intended to lock the lid is defective in that it fails to perform its function.
- (b) “the presence of a defective pressure interlock increases the likelihood of the lid being opened and the cooker contents being expelled under pressure.”
Who Filed the Lawsuit?
The Magic Chef Pressure Cooker Lawsuit was filed by Tarsha A., a woman from North Carolina who was burned when she opened the lid on her Magic Chef 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker while it was pressurized and scalding-hot steam exploded out.
Her lawsuit explains that she received the Magic Chef Multi-Cooker as a gift from her cousin. Before using it she read the user’s manual, and understood the dangers of opening the lid while it was pressurized.
What Happened?
In February 2021, she was preparing a roast using the “pressure cooking” feature, which required about 2 hours of cooking time.
She used the “Natural Release Method” setting and gave the product 30 minutes to release pressure. After 2 hours and 30 minutes, the silver float valve was in the “down” position, indicating it was de-pressurized.
She testified that she was able to easily twist open the lid and felt no resistance. Even so, when she removed the lid, she said “pressure exploded” and scalding-hot steam hit her in the chest and injured her.
The lawsuit was filed against defendants including CNA International (d/b/a MC Appliance Corporation) and Midea Group Co. Ltd. (d/b/a Midea Electric Trading (Singapore) Co. Pte. Ltd.).
Her Magic Chef Pressure Cooker Lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Eastern Division) — Case: 1:23-cv-00462.
Do I Have a Magic Chef Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Magic Chef Pressure Cooker burn injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was burned by a pressure cooker or multi-cooker that exploded, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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