Unfortunately, the dangers of cooking spray cans exploding and injuring consumers is not breaking news—but rather, has a well-documented history across the United States.
Dozens of innocent people have suffered third degree burns and other injuries because of this seemingly harmless cooking tool. Across recent years, there have been multiple cases of these aerosol cans of cooking spray (such as PAM brand cooking spray) exploding without warning when left near the stovetop. These explosions have occurred across the country and have left victims with terrible injuries, including burns and scars to their neck, face and hands.
This article outlines a handful of the types of injuries and explosions that have occurred over the last few years in the United States. If you keep aerosol cooking spray in your home, these stories can be a warning of the potential hidden dangers of these common kitchen tools.
These cases also highlight a serious manufacturing defect that could be the root cause of these spontaneous, fireball explosions. From expert testimony and investigations, it appears that vents in the bottom of the can are faultily releasing low pressure and cold air from the can without cause, and this air is highly flammable. When combined with high heat from a nearby stove, or falling into a pan, they have triggered a spontaneous explosion. These explosions—essentially a spontaneous fireball—have left victims with serious injuries and permanent scars.
If you are one of these consumers who have fallen victim to one of these dangerous explosions, read on as we outline the types of legal claims that could be brought by victims of these violent accidents. It is important to consider the types of claims and the best legal path forward to ensure that you recover adequate compensation for your injuries and damages.
There have been dozens of cases across the nation of these cans exploding without warning and causing serious injuries to unsuspecting consumers. We’re outlining a few of their cases below, and if you have a similar story you should read forward about how a lawsuit against the cooking spray manufacturer could help you recover the costs and damages you suffered from your injuries.
Cases of Cooking Spray Explosions Across the United States
Fire on the Mountain. One of the first known cases of this kind, where victims were injured from exploding cooking spray cans, occurred in 2012 in Colorado. Two kitchen cook employees at a local steakhouse in Breckenridge were seriously injured when a can of cooking spray exploded near the restaurant’s stove. They were hospitalized and received care for their first and second-degree burns. Firefighters also responded to the scene, where responders said that the sprinkler system triggered from the heat saved the building. After the fire, investigators found that a can of cooking spray left near the stove was the cause of the fire, which spontaneously combusted and ignited a flash, sudden, and intense fire.
Motherof Two Severely Injured. A mother of two young boys says that a can of PAM brand cooking spray spontaneously exploding without warning while she was cooking at home. She says that she was stirring a pot on the stove, while a can of the cooking spray was on the other side of the kitchen. Then, without warning, the can burst into flames. Her clothes caught on fire, her skin caught on fire. She was transferred to a local hospital where she received treatment for second- and third-degree burns to her chest, face, and arms. She required skin grafts and extensive physical therapy, and she was forced out of work for nine months.
She Almost Died from a Cooking Spray Can. One of the worst record injuries from these dangerous explosions occurred with a woman in Ohio, who was cooking at home by her stove. She says that there was a can of cooking spray nearby. She remembers stirring the pan, and the next thing she realized was that there was a huge explosion and she was on fire. She suffered extensive burns and injuries to her upper body, including her chest and face. Her doctors said that had her eyes been open at the moment of the fireball explosion, she would likely be blind.
What Can These Victims Do?
These victims all suffered immeasurable harm, but they all sought to have at least some of their damages recouped by bringing lawsuits against the manufacturer of the cooking spray. In the case of the PAM-brand cooking spray explosions, the lawsuits were brought against the manufacturer, Conagra.
As these victims can attest, hiring an experienced attorney can exponentially improve your ability to recover a fair and reasonable settlement to recover for your injuries, whether through a pre-trial settlement or at trial.
If you’ve been a victim of an explosion from these cooking cans, read on to our article on how a lawsuit might help you recoup the losses from your injuries.