Crock-Pot Danger: Michigan Woman Files Pressure Cooker Burn Injury Lawsuit Against Sunbeam in 2025

Hook: Did you know that approximately 10% of home appliance injuries involve pressure cookers? This statistic highlights the potential dangers lurking in our kitchens, especially with appliances designed to simplify cooking.

A Michigan woman is the latest victim to file a lawsuit against Sunbeam, alleging severe burn injuries caused by a defective Crock-Pot pressure cooker. This case, filed in September 2025, brings renewed attention to the safety concerns surrounding these popular kitchen appliances.

The Case: Fallon Sophie Koenig vs. Sunbeam Products Inc. and Newell Brands Inc.

Fallon Sophie Koenig filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on September 16, 2025, naming Sunbeam Products Inc. and Newell Brands Inc. as defendants. Koenig alleges that a Crock-Pot pressure cooker was manufactured with defective safety features, which allowed the lid to be removed while the product was still under pressure, leading to her suffering severe burn injuries. She seeks damages for painful and substantial bodily injuries, requiring immediate medical treatment and leaving her with ongoing physical and emotional harm.

Koenig’s lawsuit asserts that the Crock-Pot pressure cooker was defectively designed and manufactured, directly contradicting Sunbeam’s marketing promises that its modern safety features would prevent the lid from opening under pressure. She was able to easily twist open the lid with normal force when the Crock-Pot Pressure Cooker was still pressurized, causing a sudden release of built-up pressure inside the pot, which ejected scalding-hot food and liquid onto her body.

Pressure Cooker Design Defects and Lawsuits

Newer model Sunbeam electronic Crock-Pot pressure cookers, like many competing designs, are marketed as being equipped with advanced safety mechanisms intended to prevent the lid from being removed while the unit is pressurized. These locking systems, pressure release valves, and sealing gaskets are designed to ensure that steam and pressure are contained until it is safe to open the cooker.

However, a growing number of pressure cooker lawsuits filed in recent years allege that these protections fail in practice. When the locking mechanism does not engage properly or the valves malfunction, the lid can detach while the contents are still under high pressure, causing superheated liquid and steam to be ejected from the cooker. This sudden release can lead to severe burns, permanent scarring, and other catastrophic injuries.

Similar safety issues have been linked to other popular brands, including Farberware, Ninja Foodi, and Instant Pot. As a result, individuals injured in pressure cooker explosions may qualify for financial recovery.

A History of Crock-Pot Pressure Cooker Issues

This isn’t the first time Crock-Pot pressure cookers have come under scrutiny. In November 2020, Sunbeam Products issued a nationwide recall for approximately 943,000 Crock-Pot Electric Pressure Cookers after reports of at least 99 burn injuries and 119 explosion incidents. The recalled Crock-Pot multi-cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the product is in use, posing burn risks, severe thermal burns, and substantial burn injuries to consumers from hot food and liquids ejected from the product.

The recalled models, Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers (Model Number SCCPPC600-V1), were sold between July 2017 and November 2020 at retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

Legal Recourse for Pressure Cooker Injuries in Michigan

If you’ve been injured by a defective pressure cooker in Michigan, you may have legal options. Michigan’s product liability laws are designed to protect consumers from harm caused by unsafe products. These laws hold manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable for the products they put into the marketplace.

Key aspects of product liability laws in Michigan:

Strict Liability: Michigan follows a strict liability standard for product liability cases involving manufacturing defects. This means that injured parties do not need to prove negligence on the part of the manufacturer or seller to recover damages.
Negligence: In cases involving design defects or failure to warn, you may need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent in designing the product or in providing adequate warnings about its potential dangers.
Breach of Warranty: Claims can also be based on breach of warranty, where a product fails to meet the terms of its warranty.

What you need to prove for a product liability claim in Michigan:

That the product was defective.
That the defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control.
That the defect caused your injuries.
That you were using the product in a reasonably foreseeable manner.

Time Limits for Filing a Claim:

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally three years from the date of injury or discovery of the injury. Failing to file a product liability lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations can result in your case being dismissed by the court, which means you will be unable to recover any damages for your injuries.

Damages You Can Recover:

If you are successful in your product liability claim, you may be able to recover damages for:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages (past and future)
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage

Pressure Cooker Safety Tips

To minimize the risk of injury while using a pressure cooker, consider the following safety tips:

Read the Manual: Always read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions before using a pressure cooker.
Inspect the Cooker: Before each use, check the cooker for any signs of damage, such as cracks, dents, or worn gaskets.
Ensure Proper Sealing: Make sure the lid is properly sealed before turning on the cooker.
Avoid Overfilling: Never fill the pressure cooker more than two-thirds full. For foods that expand during cooking, such as rice or beans, fill the cooker only halfway.
Use Enough Liquid: A pressure cooker needs liquid to create the steam that cooks the food. Always use the amount of liquid specified in the recipe.
Monitor the Pressure: Keep an eye on the pressure gauge or indicator during cooking.
Never Force the Lid Open: Never attempt to open the pressure cooker while it is under pressure. Wait for the natural pressure release or use the quick-release valve.
Release Pressure Safely: When releasing pressure, keep your hands, face, and body away from the steam vent.
Clean the Cooker Properly: After each use, clean the cooker thoroughly, including the lid, gasket, and valves.

Do You Have a Claim?

The case of the Michigan woman injured by a Crock-Pot pressure cooker highlights the potential dangers associated with these appliances. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective pressure cooker, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced product liability attorney.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.