Justice Served: Sunbeam and Newell Ordered to Pay $55.5 Million in Pressure Cooker Explosion Case

In a landmark decision delivered on December 13, 2024, a Colorado federal jury awarded Georgina Perez a staggering $55.5 million in damages against Sunbeam Products Inc. and its parent company, Newell Brands Inc. The verdict came after Perez suffered devastating second and third-degree burns across 13% of her body when her Sunbeam Express Crock Multi-Cooker exploded in June 2019.

The lawsuit detailed how Perez was cooking beans and, following the user manual’s instructions, attempted to release steam about 20 minutes after the cooking cycle was complete. Instead of a controlled release, the multi-cooker exploded, showering her face and chest with scalding hot contents. Her injuries were extensive, requiring skin grafts and leaving her with a permanent inability to regulate her body temperature due to damaged sweat glands.

The jury found Sunbeam and Newell liable on multiple counts, including defective design, failure to warn consumers of the known dangers, and negligence. Evidence presented during the five-day trial revealed that the companies were aware of at least 100 similar incidents involving their multi-cookers, yet they continued to market the product without adequate warnings or recalls. In fact, nearly one million units of the Sunbeam SCCPPC600V1 model were recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in November 2020, more than a year after Perez’s harrowing experience. The recall notice cited a defect that allowed the cooker to pressurize even when the lid was not fully locked, leading to numerous reports of burns from lid detachment.

While Sunbeam and Newell argued that Perez misused the cooker, the jury sided with the plaintiff. They assigned 63% of the fault to Newell, 27% to Sunbeam, and 10% to Perez. The awarded damages included $3.5 million for pain and suffering, $2 million for physical impairment, and a significant $50 million in punitive damages ($15 million against Sunbeam and $35 million against Newell). These punitive damages serve as a strong message to companies that prioritize profit over consumer safety, demonstrating that they will be held accountable for their reckless disregard.

This verdict is a significant victory for consumer safety and underscores the importance of holding manufacturers responsible for the safety of their products. It also highlights the crucial role of the legal system in providing recourse for individuals who have been harmed by defective products. The legal team representing Perez, from Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C., demonstrated exceptional skill in presenting the evidence and advocating for their client’s rights.

This case joins a growing list of lawsuits against pressure cooker manufacturers, including Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi, raising similar allegations of devices exploding and causing severe burn injuries. These cases often point to faulty lid-locking mechanisms and inadequate safety features as the primary causes of the incidents.

For those who have been injured by exploding pressure cookers or other defective kitchen appliances, this verdict offers a glimmer of hope and serves as a reminder that justice can be achieved. It is crucial for individuals who have experienced such incidents to seek legal counsel to understand their rights and explore their options for compensation.