Firm profiles
Johnson // Becker is a product-liability firm in St. Paul. It represents plaintiffs in most of the federal pressure cooker injury suits. Its lawyers also hold leadership roles in the hair relaxer, Suboxone and infant formula MDLs.
The firm's own website says it files almost 80 percent of U.S. pressure cooker lawsuits. That figure is the firm's own statement.
- Based
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Fee
- Contingency (no fee or costs unless the firm recovers money)
- Case types it promotes
- pressure cookers; hair relaxer; general product liability
Court posts
- Timothy J. Becker serves on the hair relaxer MDL's Plaintiffs' Executive Committee (MDL 3060). Cite
- In March 2024, Timothy J. Becker became one of four co-lead counsel in the Suboxone film MDL (MDL 3092) in the N.D. Ohio. Cite
Reported wins
- A Law Street Media analysis found the firm represented plaintiffs in 61% of the 292 federal pressure cooker suits filed between 2019 and January 2024. Cite
Before you call
- It does not post pressure cooker verdict amounts. Most of its cases end in confidential settlements.
Site: johnsonbecker.com
Schmidt & Clark represents injured people in individual cases from every part of the U.S. Most of its work is mass torts, including defective products, medical devices, dangerous drugs and toxic exposure.
Schmidt & Clark advertises pressure cooker cases. Ask whether your case would stay with the firm or go to co-counsel.
- Based
- Washington, DC
- Opened
- 2005
- Fee
- Free case review; phone line open 24/7
- Case types it promotes
- Roundup; hair relaxer; airbags; pressure cookers; other defective products
Peer recognition
- The firm says Best Lawyers put it on the 2026 "Best Law Firms" list. Cite
- The Texas Board of Legal Specialization lists partner C.L. Mike Schmidt as board-certified in both Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law. The National Board of Trial Advocacy lists him as certified in Civil Trial. Cite
- The firm reports 19 straight years of Super Lawyers selection. Cite
Before you call
- Its website lists no individual verdict or settlement figures. Ask what it has recovered in cases like yours.
- Find out if the firm would keep your case or send it to co-counsel. Mass tort firms often work with co-counsel.
Site: schmidtandclark.com
Each win above comes from the firm's own reports or from court records. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
This month in brief
Pressure cooker lawsuits are burn cases. The recent CPSC recalls describe the same hazard: a lid that can open while the pot is still under pressure.
Unlike the other cases we track, pressure cooker claims have no MDL. No court has grouped them, and there is no nationwide class action. Each injured person files a separate lawsuit in federal or state court. That means there is no single case count, trial date or settlement to watch.
Here is how pressure cooker cases compare with the grouped lawsuits on this site:
|
Pressure cookers |
Roundup, hair relaxer, airbags |
| Grouped in an MDL |
No |
Yes |
| Shared trial schedule |
No |
Yes, in each MDL |
| How cases have ended |
Mostly out-of-court settlements, case by case |
Bellwether trials; Roundup also has a proposed class settlement |
| Official case count |
None |
Monthly JPML report |
How many lawsuits have been filed
Law Street Media studied federal pressure cooker filings and published its findings on Jan. 30, 2024. It found:
- 292 federal pressure cooker suits were filed from 2019 to January 2024.
- Of the cases that ended, 133 settled out of court.
- Johnson // Becker represented plaintiffs in 61% of the suits.
No newer count was found. State court cases are not included in that number.
Brands sued most often
The most-sued companies in federal court, according to Law Street Media, were:
| Company |
Brand name on many cookers |
| Instant Brands |
Instant Pot |
| Sunbeam |
Crock-Pot |
| Tristar |
Power Pressure Cooker XL |
| SharkNinja |
Ninja Foodi |
| Sensio |
Bella |
| NuWave |
NuWave |
Johnson // Becker’s website also lists suits involving Cuisinart, Presto and Royal Prestige cookers.
Instant Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2023 in the Southern District of Texas. Twenty-four pressure cooker cases were put on hold in that bankruptcy.
Recalls and CPSC warnings
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has acted on three cookers since May 2025.
| Date |
Product |
What the CPSC said |
Remedy |
| May 1, 2025 |
SharkNinja Foodi OP300 multi-function pressure cookers, about 1,846,400 units |
Lid can open during use. 106 burn reports, more than 50 of them second- or third-degree, and 26 lawsuits |
Free replacement lid (Recall No. 25-247) |
| Oct. 9, 2025 |
Ambiano electric pressure cookers sold at ALDI from 2016 to 2019, about 46,660 units (Tempo USA) |
Lid can open before pressure is released. 11 incidents, 8 severe burns |
Refund (Recall No. 26-007) |
| Feb. 24, 2026 |
Gourmia GPC625 6-quart pressure cookers, about 43,500 sold from 2017 to 2020 |
Stop using them now. 5 incidents, 4 severe burns |
None. Gourmia and its main retailer refused an acceptable recall |
If you own one of these models, follow the CPSC notice linked in the sources.
The Perez v. Sunbeam verdict and appeal
Perez v. Sunbeam/Newell was tried in federal court in Colorado. It involved a Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker.
- December 2024: The jury awarded $55.5 million.
- May 29, 2025: Judge Brimmer applied Colorado’s damages caps. That cut the award to about $9.1 million.
- On appeal: The judgment is on hold while the Tenth Circuit hears the appeal. A $10.2 million bond secures it.
No appeal decision had been found as of this check. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Damages caps differ by state.
No recent verdicts against Instant Brands or Tristar were found.
What to do after a pressure cooker burn
- Keep the cooker and the lid. Do not throw them out or send them back.
- Find the model number, the receipt and the box if you still have them.
- Check whether your model appears in a CPSC recall or warning.
- Photograph your burns and keep all medical records.
Filing deadlines depend on your state. Texas allows two years for personal injury suits. Florida allows four years for injuries from a defective product. Ask a lawyer how long your state gives you to file.
For the other lawsuits we track, see the October 2026 overview. For another product injury that leaves physical evidence, see the airbag lawsuit update.
What readers ask us
Is there a pressure cooker class action I can join?
No. As of October 2026 there is no MDL or nationwide class action for pressure cooker injuries. Each injured person files a separate lawsuit.
Which pressure cooker brands have been sued?
In federal court, the most-sued companies were Instant Brands, Sunbeam (Crock-Pot), Tristar, SharkNinja, Sensio (Bella) and NuWave, according to Law Street Media.
Can I still sue Instant Pot's maker?
Instant Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2023. Twenty-four pressure cooker cases were put on hold in that bankruptcy. Talk to a lawyer about how the bankruptcy affects your claim and your state's deadline.
How much are pressure cooker cases worth?
There is no set amount. Most cases settle privately. In Perez v. Sunbeam, a jury awarded $55.5 million, which a judge cut to about $9.1 million under Colorado law. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What should I keep after a pressure cooker burn?
Keep the cooker, the lid, the box and the receipt. Write down the model number. Photograph your burns and keep your medical records.