Conagra, the manufacturer of Pam cooking spray, is in the middle of multiple lawsuits being filed for what plaintiffs allege is a defective product. According to these allegations, the cooking spray aerosol can exploded and caused serious injuries because the design was defective. Conagra maintains that the product is safe when used as directed.
Accusations of Defective Product
Plaintiffs are claiming that the aerosol cans of Pam cooking spray explode when they shouldn’t do so. These explosions result in severe, life-threatening injuries that often have permanent damage.
Allegations state that the cans have exploded when they were at a safe distance from a heat source. In fact, one woman states that the can exploded after she had placed it in her shopping cart.
Many people understand that the contents of an aerosol can are kept under pressure. When the pressure is too great, it can cause an explosion. However, it should be designed that it is safe to use under normal circumstances. With the Pam cooking spray cans, they supposedly explode even at average temperatures at a safe distance from a heat source.
Conagra changed the design of the larger cans of Pam cooking spray in 2011. Vents were placed on the bottom of the cans, but allegations state that these vents did not work correctly, causing the chemicals inside the can to expand to dangerous levels at lower temperatures than what should allow this condition.
Six cases were filed in the Chicago courts on May 7th, 2019 against Conagra. Other lawsuits may be filed in the future. In one case, a video has been included which shows a cook engulfed in flames after the explosion. Allegations state that Conagra failed to adequately warn consumers of the dangers of the exploding cans, instead marketing them as safe when used in normal situations.
In one situation, a medical student who was living in Indianapolis was cooking dinner at home with his girlfriend. He used the cooking spray and it burst into flames. He suffered burn injuries to his face, arms and hands, and neck even though he was able to put out the fire. He has had to go through several surgeries to graft the skin to those burned areas.
What Caused the Injuries
Flammable chemicals are included in the list of ingredients for cooking sprays. When the temperature rises, the chemicals move faster and expand. The can continues to expand until there is no room and then it explodes.
The allegations are that the cans exploded at lower temperatures than what was claimed by Conagra. On the warning labels, the cautions for this product state that it should not be kept in areas that are above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the cans have been known to explode at much lower temperatures with no warning to the customers who purchased them.
Two situations occur when the cans exploded. Many times, they create a flash fire because of the flammable contents. In one instance, a full kitchen fire resulted and a cook at a restaurant was caught on fire.
The second issue is the movement of other items because of the explosion. These items may hit a person, causing impact injuries. Both situations can lead to serious injuries that require immediate medical attention and long-term recovery.
Injuries from Exploding Cans
Those involved in the lawsuits against Conagra have reported a variety of injuries. The most common is burns which can range from first-degree to third-degree. With second- and third-degree burn injuries, the person may need one or several surgeries for skin grafting. Even with grafting, they may end up disfigured.
Along with burns, the people have reported blindness and nerve damage from burns. In many situations, the damage is permanent and leads to limitations in their ability to work and perform daily tasks.
Conagra’s Response
Conagra has not recalled the products or accepted responsibility for these injuries. They have stated that the product is safe when the instructions are followed. They say that the product is labeled correctly with cautions on the packaging.
At the same time, the company has changed its design of these larger cans to match that of other cooking spray cans. Since the other products have not been taken off the shelf, they are still accessible for consumers. Anyone who has one of these larger cans should look on the bottom of the cans for the vents. They are U-shaped marks, which you can use to identify the defective products. These cans should not be used but should be disposed of safely.
Defective Products5 years ago
