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Defective Products

Conagra at the Middle of a Lawsuit for Pam Cooking Spray

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pam cooking spray cans in store

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.

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Defective Products

Sunbeam Crockpots Recalled for Burn Injuries

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Sunbeam Products has issued a recall of one of its crock pot products due to a burn hazard. The recall came just two days before the Thanksgiving holiday, during a time when crock pots are often in use.

Details of the Crock Pot Recall

The product involved in the recall is the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Multi-Cooker. Almost one million of these defective products have been sold. According to the recall, the multi-cooker may pressurize if the lid hasn’t been locked in place completely. The pressure can make the lid to detach when the crock pot is in use. If the hot food or liquid ejects from the pot, it can lead to serious burns.

The recall impacts mostly purchases in the US with almost 29,000 in Canada. The cookers were bought at Walmart, Target and online at Amazon as well as other national retailers. The timeline was from July 2017 and up to the time of the recall. The crock put costs between $70 and $100. To find out if your crock pot is part of the recall, you can look at the bottom of the base or on the electrical plug on one of the prongs for the codes K196JN through K365JN and L001JN through L273JN.

It’s advised that anyone with this product not use it as a pressure cooker, but it can be used for sauted and slow cooking recipes. The company will send lids to consumers for free to replace the defective ones if they contact the manufacturer.

The recall notice advised that if consumers use the product as a pressure cooker, they should make sure the lid is in the fully locked position. They can tell if it is secured by making sure the arrow on the lid is aligned with the lock on the base.

Burn Injuries and the Serious Consequences

Sunbeam has gotten more than 100 reports where the lid detached in use. This resulted in almost 100 burn injuries. These burns range from first-degree to third-degree.

A first-degree burn is considered superficial because it only impacts the first layer of skin. This type of injury may not require medical care, but it can be quite painful. However, some cases may require a visit to the doctor or hospital if it covers a large area or hurts too much. Third-degree burns are much more serious and require immediate medical care because the burn impacts the other layers of skin. Infection is often a major concern with third-degree burns as well as other complications.

A person with a third-degree burn may feel a great deal of pain, but it can also be numb. There is often scarring from this type of burn. However, any burn can be considered serious if not taken care of properly.

While many products are recalled and often ignored, this recall from Sunbeam is considered serious and should not be taken lightly. Anyone with one of these products is at risk for serious and permanent injury.

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Ceiling Fans Being Recalled for Flying Blades Safety Risk

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Nearly 200,000 ceiling fans have been recalled after reports were made that the blades of the fans came off while in use. Injuries and property damage were reported from some of the incidents.

Faulty Ceiling Fans and the Dangers They Present

Hampton Bay Mara ceiling fans were for both indoor and outdoor use. They were sold at Home Depot in store and online. These products were sold during April and October of 2020. The fans come in black, matte black, matte white, and polished nickel. They feature a remote control and a color-changing LED light.

Of the almost 200,000 products, almost all were sold in the US. Nearly 9000 were sold in Canada. Anyone who has purchased one of these fans should stop using them and check that the blades are secure. Consumers should look for movement in the blades when the fan is shut off. They should also inspect for gaps between the blades that are uneven and movement of the body or clip.

If anyone notices a problem with their ceiling fan, they are to contact King of Fans for a free replacement. The company that makes the fans has promised to replace any problem products for free. There have already been 47 reports where the blades detached from the body while in motion. Two of those reports showed the blades hitting someone with four reports showing property damage. The defect comes from the fan flywheel and the locking clip for the blade, which allows the blade to become detached.

Ceiling Fan Installation Dangers and Risks

Ceiling fans can be dangerous even without a defective product. If you DIY an installation and it isn’t done properly, you could end up with disastrous results. Because the fan is heavy, if it’s not attached correctly, it can come crashing down. Added to the weight of the fan is the rotational pull when it’s turned on. It’s critical to know how to install a fan properly to prevent injury.

Electrical issues can also cause damage and injury if the circuits are overloaded. This is more likely to be an issue in an older home, which may not be equipped to handle the increased electrical load. A fire can start in a bedroom where a ceiling fan is located. By the time you are aware of it, the fire may have spread out of control.

If the ceiling fan blades detach, they can hit someone in the head or elsewhere on the body. Since the fan is in use, the extra power from the blades turning can give them a stronger impact when they hit an obstacle. You could end up with a concussion or even a fracture or broken bone from one of these blades. If you have a faulty ceiling fan and need it replaced, don’t continue using the fan until a new one is installed. Consider hiring a professional and get a new fan to prevent injury to you or your family.

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Excedrin Issues Recall for Headache Medicine

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Less than a week before what is known as the biggest hangover day of the year on New Year’s Eve, one of the biggest manufacturers of OTC headache medicines has issued a major recall. Excedrin is recalling five different brands, which was announced the day before Christmas Eve, December 23.

This recall includes Excedrin Migraine Geltabs and Caplets as well as Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets, Excedrin Tension Headache Caplets, and Excedrin PM Headache Caplets. The reason for the recall was for a failure to meet child resistant packaging requirements. Some of the medications may be able to develop holes in the bottom of the containers, which would give easier access to children. They could consume the pills, which could cause poisoning.

The Poison Prevention Packaging Act requires medications with the ingredients acetaminophen and aspirin to be in child resistant packaging. Almost 434,000 bottles were recalled. The bottles impacted by the recall have been on the market between March 2018 and September 2020. Bottles included in the recall include those with 50-, 80-, 100-, 125-, 250- and 300-count packages.

No reports of injury have been made so far, but it is recommended that consumers store the medication out of reach of children. They should also check the bottoms of the bottles. If you find a hole in the bottle, contact the company for a refund. You can call 800-468-7746 for further instructions.

Dangers of Overdose

An overdose of this kind of medication could have serious and potentially fatal effects. The first signs of an overdose of Excedrin from the acetaminophen include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, confusion, weakness and stomach pain. If not treated, it could cause pain in the upper stomach, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, and dark urine. You may also notice headache, hallucinations, a fast or slow heart rate, diarrhea, ringing in the ears and convulsions.

An overdose of this medication can lead to liver damage or death. If you find that a child has taken the medicine or suspect it may be the case, call Poison Control immediately. Immediate emergency medical attention is necessary.

The interactions between Excedrin and other medications with aspirin or acetaminophen can be serious and dangerous, which could lead to a fatal overdose. These two ingredients are found in other medications, which makes an overdose of Excedrin even more dangerous.

It is also possible that a child may have an allergic reaction to taking Excedrin. Symptoms include swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, and hives. Take any complaints seriously and get help right away.

Another rare reaction to medications which contain acetaminophen include a skin issue, which causes peeling and blistering. It can happen even if you’ve taken the medication before with no problems. It can cause you to feel light-headed, agitation, panic, confusion and bleeding.

More common side effects from this medication include upset stomach and feeling anxious or depressed as well as insomnia. If you are concerned that a child may have taken the medication, get medical attention as soon as possible.

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