PITTSBURGH — A woman who suffered burns after a pressure cooker lid suddenly became released is claiming the manufacturer's and seller's negligence.
Sarah Hawk filed a complaint Feb. 14 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Ollie's Bargain Outlet Inc., and The Steelstone Group LLC alleging strict liability, negligence and breach of warranty.
According to her complaint, Hawk purchased a Gourmia GPC655 Pressure Cooker at Ollie's Bargain Outlet in Pittsburgh in December 2020. She claims as she was using the pressure cooker on Aug. 6, 2021, she suffered severe burns when the lid became released under pressure and sprayed scalding liquid onto her body.
She alleges the defective design of the pressure cooker caused the lid to become released and that the defendants' product parts were not effective and durable. Hawk also claims the defendants failed to use industry-recognized safety specifications on its product, failed to warn of the dangers of the product and failed to provide proper safety and operational instructions. She also claims the defendants did not adequately test the product before its sale and distribution and that she suffered pain, scarring and other damages as a result of the accident.
Hawk seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Anthony Giannetti of Swartz Culleton PC in Pittsburgh.