Pam Cooking Spray Explosion & Burn Lawsuits

Millions of households use the popular cooking spray, Pam, by Conagra Brands. For years, consumers used the sprays without issue…until the company changed its spray can design in 2011. Now, several plaintiffs with severe burn injuries are filing lawsuits against Conagra for defective and dangerous products.

If you believe you have grounds for a Pam cooking spray explosion, fire, or burn lawsuit in Chicago or across the U.S., contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. We can help you understand your rights and hold Conagra accountable for releasing defectively designed spray cans. Let us fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Call (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation with our product liability attorneys.

Pam Cooking Spray Could Pose Serious Risks to Consumers

Several new lawsuits have arisen in the face of exploding Pam cooking sprays. Victims allege that the bottom of the cans contained defects that caused them to explode when they worked around a heat source or open flame from a stove – leading to severe burn injuries. Some victims had to undergo surgeries and rehabilitation (for third-degree burns), while one was in a medically induced coma for two weeks after the incident. Most of the victims seeking restitution will have lifelong scarring from their burn injuries.

Manufacturers pressurize cooking spray cans so the propellant can create an effective product. Pressurized cans, however, come with certain risks. Excessive heat, faulty valves, can corrosion, or punctures can all cause cans to rapidly depressurize. In severe cases, these cans can explode and cause major fires. Spray can explosions can lead to serious burn injuries, shrapnel injuries, and damage to the eyes and ears. All pressurized spray cans come with this risk.

Some models of Pam cooking spray contain a special design Conagra, the maker of Pam, used sporadically over the last few years. Although Conagra stopped using this design earlier this year, it did not issue a recall of the thousands of cans of already shipped products. These cooking sprays have shelf lives of several years on store shelves, and may pose risks to additional consumers in the future.

What We Know About Pam Cooking Spray Lawsuits

The lawsuits against Conagra allege that the Pam cooking spray cans contain a defect that makes them unreasonably dangerous for consumers to use. Rather than posing the normal level of risk that comes with all pressurized cans, victims allege that certain Pam cans elevate the risk due to a defective ventilation system. The U-shaped vent design on the bottom of the canister that Conagra began using in 2011 is the claimed source of the problem. Conagra tried out this new design mainly on bottles of Pam that contain 10 ounces or more.

The U-shaped ventilation system was meant to enable to container to vent flammable contents slowly and in a controlled way if depressurized, according to Conagra spokespeople. Burn victims and their plaintiffs' attorney are alleging that the vents made the cooking spray more susceptible to explosion than the tried and true design Conagra had used for over 60 years. The lawsuits also say Conagra failed to warn consumers about the very serious foreseeable risks of the U-shaped ventilation system.

When contacted about the issue, Conagra released a statement saying that it's cans are “100 percent safe and effective when used correctly.” Conagra went on to say that all its Pam cooking sprays have clear warning labels on the back of the packaging to use responsibly as flammable products, and to keep away from heat sources and open flames. Conagra also said it removed the vented cans from production early in 2019, for reasons not relating to the lawsuits.

Pam Cooking Spray Lawsuit FAQs

Cooking spray fires and explosions are not new. Similar cooking sprays cases have arisen since at least 2012 with home cooks and food service professionals. A renewed focus on the subject has occurred, however, due to recent alleged product defects in Pam cooking spray bottles. This has led to many questions regarding cooking spray safety, product defects, and lawsuits against manufacturers. Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions our attorneys receive:

Compensation Available to People Injured by Pam can Explosions

It is important to discuss your cooking spray explosion incident with a product liability attorney. Conagra could owe you thousands of dollars for your damages. Filing a claim or joining a class action lawsuit against Pam cooking spray’s manufacturer can hold the company accountable for its negligent or wanton actions, and give you compensation for the following losses:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and capacity to earn
• Property damage repairs
• Physical pain and suffering for burn injuries
• Emotional distress
• Lost quality of life
• Punitive damages

In general, the more serious your burn injuries, the more money your case will be worth. Using an attorney’s help in filing your claim and fighting for compensation can ensure you get fair results. No insurance company can take advantage of you when a lawyer is handling settlement negotiations on your behalf.

Why Choose Us?

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has decades of experience helping clients throughout Illinois with complicated personal injury claims. We have the personnel and resources to maximize your odds of success. Our lawyers have been following the developments of the Pam cooking spray cases closely over the years. We want to help anyone in Illinois that has become a victim because of Conagra’s negligence. Here’s why clients choose us:

• We have secured over $100 million in results for past clients over the years.
• We care about what happens to our clients, and work around the clock to develop each case.
• We work on a contingency fee basis, so we only charge if we win the case.

It is important to hire a law firm that gives you confidence in its abilities to fight for your best interests. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers takes pride in serving victims in Chicago and throughout Illinois. We want to help you through this difficult time. Let us stand by your side during insurance settlement negotiations and/or a product liability trial. Experience the Rosenfeld difference.

Request a Free Legal Consultation With Our Pam Explosion Attorneys

Exploding cans of Pam cooking spray can ruin people’s lives. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are passionate about bringing negligent parties to justice for the good of the people. We want to help burn injury victims expose Conagra for its failure to warn consumers of known risks. We want to help prevent future accidents from befalling any other unsuspecting consumers.

If you believe you have a case against Conagra for a cooking spray can that caught fire, exploded, or shot flames, contact us. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys can review your case and offer legal counsel for free. Our no-obligation consultations can give you the information you need to move forward. Let us help you through this difficult time. Call (888) 424-5757 to request your initial case review.

Sources:

• Eight burn victims sue over exploding cans of Pam cooking spray
• Lawsuits claim people injured by exploding Pam cooking spray cans
• Popular Household Cooking Spray Blamed for Explosions That Left NYC Woman, Others Across U.S., Horribly Burned
• Six Lawsuits Allege Cans Of Pam Cooking Spray Are Exploding And Causing Severe Burns
• The Hidden Dangers of Aerosol Cans