Latest Updates
July 25, 2025 – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi entered a $1,097,000 default judgment against I.S. Appliances after Semiko Crump suffered burns to her chest, arms, and abdomen when her Bon Appetit pressure cooker model BAPCR010 exploded during use in February 2021. The company failed to offer any response to the lawsuit, and the court found liability appropriate after reviewing the case.
The February 2021 Explosion
Semiko Crump was using her Bon Appetit pressure cooker when it malfunctioned and exploded. Hot contents under pressure ejected onto her chest, arms, and abdomen, causing immediate first and second degree burns.
Immediate Emergency Response
Right after the explosion, Crump’s daughter and niece soaked her wounds in cold water. They needed to get her to a burn unit, but dangerously icy roads forced them to postpone treatment until the following day.
Two Days in the Hospital
Once Crump reached medical care, she spent two days hospitalized. Treatment included infection prevention measures and skin graft application for her burn injuries.
Weeks and Months of Recovery
The healing process extended far beyond those initial hospital days. Crump required constant maintenance and care for weeks and months to manage her injuries and prevent complications.
Beyond Physical Scars
While Crump’s burns eventually healed, the emotional and psychological impact lasted longer. She lost the joy she previously found in cooking—something that had likely been part of her daily routine before the explosion.
Impact on Family
The incident left a profound impact on Crump’s entire family unit. Watching a loved one suffer severe burns from a kitchen appliance creates trauma that extends beyond the victim herself.
I.S. Appliances Failed to Respond
When Crump filed her lawsuit, I.S. Appliances simply didn’t respond. No answer, no defense, no explanation—the manufacturer went into default rather than defend their product in court.
Default Judgment Entered
Because I.S. Appliances failed to participate in the legal process, the Southern District Court of Mississippi entered a default judgment. The court reviewed the case and found the liability appropriate, awarding the full $1,097,000.
Model BAPCR010
The specific pressure cooker involved was Bon Appetit model number BAPCR010. If you own this model, you should be aware of its connection to this severe burn incident.
Part of a Larger Pattern
The Bon Appetit judgment joins a growing number of major pressure cooker burn injury awards. In December 2024, a Colorado jury awarded a woman $55.5 million after her Sunbeam Crock-Pot Express exploded, causing second and third degree burns to 13% of her body (later reduced to about $9.1 million under Colorado’s damages cap).
The Indiana Verdict
In May 2025, an Indiana jury awarded $9 million to a woman severely burned when a Maxi-Matic Elite Bistro pressure cooker opened while still under pressure. These verdicts demonstrate that juries understand the severity of pressure cooker burn injuries.
The SharkNinja Recall
Federal regulators are paying attention. On May 1, 2025, the CPSC recalled approximately 1.8 million SharkNinja Ninja Foodi pressure cookers after receiving 106 reports of burn injuries, including more than 50 reports of second and third degree burns to faces and bodies.
The Common Defect
Across all these cases—Bon Appetit, Sunbeam, Maxi-Matic, SharkNinja—the defect involves lid-locking or pressure-release safety systems failing. The very mechanisms manufacturers advertise as protecting consumers are the systems that fail catastrophically.
Why Lids Open Under Pressure
Pressure cookers build up steam pressure inside sealed vessels. If the lid can be opened before that pressure is safely released, scalding food and steam eject forcefully—hot enough to cause third-degree burns in seconds.
The Safety System Purpose
Lid-locking mechanisms exist specifically to prevent the lid from being removed while contents are still pressurized. When these systems fail, the device becomes a bomb that can explode in your kitchen.
Second and Third Degree Burns
Second degree burns damage both the outer skin layer and underlying tissue, causing blisters, severe pain, and scarring. Third degree burns destroy all skin layers and can damage muscle and bone, requiring skin grafts and leaving permanent disfigurement.
Breach of Safety Promises
Manufacturers market pressure cookers as safe, convenient cooking appliances with multiple safety features. Selling devices with defective safety systems that allow pressurized explosions violates those fundamental promises to consumers.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a family member suffered burn injuries from an exploding pressure cooker—whether Bon Appetit, Sunbeam, Maxi-Matic, Ninja Foodi, or any other brand—contact a product liability attorney immediately. Time limits apply to these claims, so consult a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury while evidence is fresh.
References
1. https://dailyhornet.com/2026/mississippi-woman-wins-1m-after-pressure-cooker-explosion/
2. https://www.johnsonbecker.com/product-liability/1097000-00-judgement-obtained-for-johnson-becker-pllc-client-with-second-and-first-degree-burns-following-a-pressure-cooker-explosion/