A New York City man who used a Nutribullet blender to make a protein smoothie claims he was permanently injured when the device exploded, sending \u201cshrapnel\u201d into his hand.<\/p>\n
Joseph Sanchez put celery, milk and protein powder into the high-powered device in July 2022 and was shocked when \u201cthe [plastic] cup exploded, deeply lacerating\u201d his right hand and fingers, \u201cand leaving him terrified as he saw his blood gushing onto the floor all around him,\u201d he alleged in court papers.<\/p>\n
In shock, the quick-thinking 46-year-old hairdresser was able to grab a necktie to use as a tourniquet and slow the bleeding before rushing to the hospital, where medical staff diagnosed him with a severed artery in his dominant right hand, he said in a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit against Nutribullet.<\/p>\n
Joseph Sanchez claims the device exploded and sent \u201cshrapnel\u201d into him, injuring his hand. Obtained by the New York Post<\/p>\n
The Inwood resident now struggles with numbness in his hand, \u201csevere pain, and trauma that will last a lifetime,\u201d he said in the litigation. <\/p>\n
Operating the blender, which can range in price from about $45 to $150 or more, creates heat and pressure which causes the device to \u201cover-pressurize\u201d and explode, he alleged.<\/p>\n
Nutribullet is well aware of its product\u2019s tendency to explode, Sanchez alleged, noting the company first learned of the issue in 2011 when a consumer was injured. The lawsuit did not detail the earlier complaint.<\/p>\n
The incident was \u201cvery frightening and disturbing,\u201d said Sanchez\u2019 attorney, Daniel Ecker. <\/p>\n
Obtained by the New York Post<\/p>\n
Nutribullet has faced more than 140 personal injury and liability lawsuits in federal court over its product. Future via Getty Images<\/p>\n