Best Buy Faces Lawsuit Over Allegedly Dangerous Insignia Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are designed with safety features to prevent them from being opened while pressurized, avoiding the risk of explosions, burns, and ruined meals. However, a new lawsuit alleges that Best Buy's Insignia 8 Qt Multi-Function Pressure Cooker poses a serious safety hazard due to "defects that cause significant risk of bodily harm and injury to consumers."

Boiling Liquid Explosion Causes Severe Burns

New Orleans resident Shianka Williams filed the lawsuit on behalf of her and her 7-year-old child, identified in the lawsuit as L.H., accusing Best Buy of designing a defective product and advertising it as safe.

The lawsuit alleges that the pressure cooker's lid can be removed while still under pressure, causing scalding hot contents to be ejected and injuring users. Williams and her child suffered serious burns when the lid of their pressure cooker exploded while under pressure.

Williams says their injuries happened because of Best Buy’s failure to redesign the pressure cooker, “despite the existence of economical, safer alternative designs.” Because of the bad design, she said her and her child suffered significant and painful bodily injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, mental anguish, and diminished enjoyment of life. 

Nearly One Million Best Buy Insignia Pressure Cookers Recalled

After receiving 31 reports of accidents relating to Insignia pressure cookers, the Consumer Products Safety Commission recalled more than 900,000 of the pressure cookers in late 2023. The CPSC said it had 17 reports of burn injuries, some of which involved reports of second-degree and severe burns.

Despite these reports, Williams says that Best Buy failed to warn consumers about the risks and instead “put profit ahead of safety by continuing to sell its pressure cookers to consumers.” 

How to Use Pressure Cookers Safely

While the Best Buy pressure cooker lawsuit raises concerns about the Insignia pressure cooker specifically, it's important to follow safety guidelines when using any pressure cooker:

• Read the manual carefully.
• Inspect the device for flaws.
• Do not overfill the pot.
• Ensure enough liquid is present for steam generation.
• Secure the lid properly.
• Understand pressure release methods.
• Adjust heat as needed to maintain pressure.
• Never force the lid open.
• Always ensure all pressure is released before opening the lid.

Not an Isolated Incident: Other Pressure Cooker Lawsuits

This lawsuit is not the only one facing pressure cooker manufacturers. Best Buy faces another class action lawsuit alleging incorrect markings on the Insignia pot, leading to overfilling and potential explosions.

SharkNinja and Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL are also facing legal action for pressure cooker lid issues and potential opening while under pressure.

In her lawsuit, Williams accuses Best Buy of defective design and manufacture, failure to warn, and negligence and is seeking damages, interest, costs, and fees on behalf of consumers across the country who were injured by the cookers.

Case Details:

• Lawsuit: Williams et al v. Best Buy Co., Inc.
• Case Number: 0:24-cv-01730-KMM-DLM
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Plaintiffs' Attorneys:

• Adam J. Kress, Michael K. Johnson, and Anna R. Rick (Johnson Becker, PLLC)