HSN LP (previously known as Home Shopping Network) recalled a line of Korean made pressure cookers under the brand name Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers in 2005. As it turns out, the cookers were not so “well built” after all!

These pressure cookers have reportedly caused at least 37 burning and scalding injuries.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, these cookers have a safety defect which causes them to open while pressure is still contained inside the cooker, resulting in the hot contents bursting out and spilling over nearby persons.

At least 43 reports of the cooker opening while still containing steam have been reported. Out of the 37 injured, four persons suffered severe third-degree burns.

Now having a dangerous product is bad enough, but not reporting that you have a dangerous product is even worse. This is where HSN really got into scalding hot water. They had received reports as early as 2001 that their pressure cooker had a tendency to fail and cause injuries. At least 25 reports of injuries came in between 2001 and 2004. It took HSN until February 2005 before they reported the problem to CPSC, and then voluntarily recalled their defective product in June and October 2005.

CPSC rightly decided that HSN LP waited too long to report their pressure cooker and, as a result, the shopping channel has to pay $875,000 in penalties.

The CPSC has asked consumers who still own these cookers to stop using them immediately.

If you have been burned or otherwise injured by a dangerous product, contact the Orange County injury lawyers at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.