Since its foray into the market, the NutriBullet has become a kitchen staple for millions—it’s known for its ability to blend and pulverize better and more quickly than similar appliances due to its powerful, 600-watt motor, an advertisement claims—but it’s not the high-speed blender’s success stories that have been making headlines as of late. Instead, at least 22 people are suing the creators of the device, claiming its malfunctioning caused serious injuries, including burns and lacerations.
One of the users suing NutriBullet, Sheryl Utal, was left with second-degree burns after using her device. “I had my hands on it, like you normally do as you put it in and turn it to lock it in place, and it was on for maybe 15 to 20 seconds and it exploded,” she tells Fox 11. “It spins so fast that it heats up the contents, the contents get under pressure, and the device explodes, so that hot liquid exploded onto me and created nasty burns.”
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Attorney Doug Rochen, who as of Monday has filed a total of 22 lawsuits against Nutribullet on behalf of his clients, including Utal, says the product really has no safety features at all. “We represent one client whose dominant right hand was mutilated by the NutriBullet,” he explains, adding that when the unit, lid and vessel exploded, it caused her hands to fall into the blade. As a result of her injuries, this client has already undergone six surgeries. The latest victim, Rosa Rivera, mother of late Latina superstar Jenni Rivera, spoke out Tuesday and said her NutriBullet badly burned her face. She’s now speaking out to warn users not to use the product anymore. “It’s dangerous,” says Rivera.
Rosa Rivera, mother of late singer Jenni Rivera, says she suffered second degree burns to her face and neck after her NutriBullet blender exploded while she was using it. https://t.co/FyvYmLHiZS pic.twitter.com/19JfYSQE9x
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) November 14, 2017
According to Rochen, the problem with the device is that it’s a sealed vessel, meaning there’s no way for pressure to escape. Even worse, there’s no on or off switch, as users know—the vessel must be twisted off in order to stop. “It builds up pressure and heat within the unit, which causes the body of the vessel to separate from the blade assembly like a rocket ship,” he says. In response, NutriBullet is standing by its product, contesting the lawsuits, and asserting that those who are bringing forward lawsuits likely aren’t telling the truth about their injuries.
NutriBullet issued a statement in response to the claims:
“Customer safety and satisfaction are paramount at NutriBullet, and we were saddened to learn about Ms. Rivera’s accident. Unfortunately, her attorneys are attempting to sway public opinion about a safe and effective product by orchestrating a publicity campaign making the NutriBullet appear dangerous. There have been hundreds of millions of uses by satisfied NutriBullet customers worldwide, who have simply followed the provided operating instructions and warnings. We will work with Ms. Rivera’s attorneys to determine the cause of her accident.”
Stay tuned to NewBeauty for updates.
