Six separate lawsuits have been filed in Chicago’s Cook County Circuit Court, claiming that an aerosol can design Conagra began using in 2011 is “faulty, dangerous and prone to explosion.” All of the incidents involved Conagra-produced Pam or similar cooking sprays that may have an obsolete and allegedly defective U-shaped venting system in the can’s bottoms. These lawsuits are predicated on the claim that these sprays are just not safe.
A number of burn victims – eight so far – are named in these lawsuits against Conagra Foods, the company which makes Pam cooking spray. Some of those affected report that they were disfigured and had to subsequently undergo multiple surgeries and painful skin grafts. The incidents detailed in the lawsuits happened between the years 2017 and 2019 and in six different states.
When faulty products make their way to market, consumers often bear the brunt of the dangers that they pose. If you have been injured by a dangerous product, let our Philadelphia product liability lawyer know. We can help you hold the responsible party accountable for your damages.
Each of the six suits alleges that these victims were severely injured by the cans when they exploded in their kitchens, and attorneys for the plaintiffs have revealed that one of these explosions was actually caught on video. The video footage, which shows a can of Pam exploding in the kitchen of a Houston restaurant, is particularly damning. The cook was left with serious injuries after being surrounded by flames that were fed by the cooking spray, which had been on a shelf near the grill where it was (presumably frequently) used.
The cans involved typically hold at least 10 ounces and have a distinctive venting mechanism – which appears to be where the fault lies. These cans were all sold at wholesale outlets such as Costco and are not the smaller cans you’d find sold in grocery stores.
Conagra released a statement averring that the company stands by all of its products, while pointing out warning labels on the products in question – labels which clearly say that the can may burst if it is left on a stove or near heat sources. The company was also quick to point out that it had stopped using the larger vented cans – but continues to claim that any remaining product with this design flaw that is still on store shelves should be safe when used and stored properly.
Conagra has steadfastly refused to initiate a nationwide recall so that any potentially defective cans still sitting on store shelves might be removed to prevent anyone else from suffering permanent injury – or death – from an explosion. Unfortunately, as long as these cans remain on store shelves as well as in people’s kitchens, the likelihood of this occurring again is high.
At Soloff &Zervanos, P.C., we work aggressively to represent our clients injured by faulty products. If you have been injured by a product that was dangerous by design, contact our Philadelphia product liability attorney now to arrange your free case consultation and begin the process of holding the responsible party accountable for your damages.