Fires and explosions from PAM cooking oil spray have been seriously injuring consumers across the U.S. for years. The manufacturer, ConAgra, promotes PAM’s cooking oil as having “100% natural” ingredients, which actually include highly flammable petroleum-based propellants such as propane, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas or butane.
Aerosol cans have been known to burst in extreme heat, however, defective design, over-pressurization, and highly flammable contents are also among the contributing factors in these incidents. One of the biggest causes of these aerosol can explosions might be a design flaw. Vents at the bottom of the large-sized two-piece canisters that were meant to reduce pressure and prevent explosions have been found in tests to release flammable gas and cause flash fires near heat or open flames. These cans can also vent at temperatures and pressures below those expected to cause venting, and if the cans contain too much pressure, they can explode unexpectedly and burn anyone nearby.
Exploding cooking oil spray injuries
Injuries associated with PAM and other cooking oil sprays include blindness, full and partial burns to the face, arms, hands, neck and other areas, extreme pain and suffering, and even death. Some of the exploding cooking spray incidents that have occurred nationwide include:
- Connecticut – a woman suffered first-, second-, and third-degree burns to her face, arm, right hand, chest, leg, and foot after a can of PAM far from where she was cooking exploded and shot flames across her counter and all over her body.
- Pennsylvania – a woman suffered severe burns to her hands and face after a cooking spray can fell into a pan while she was cooking and spewed hot grease when it exploded.
- Massachusetts – a Wicked Tuna chef suffered third-degree burns when cooking spray exploded and shot flames and fluids over his arms, chest, and legs.
- Ohio – a woman remembered “putting the fork in a pan” when a can explosion occurred and that she was “on fire” with severe burns on her face, arms, and chest.
Despite these devastating accidents, PAM and other dangerous cooking sprays remain on the market, and many consumers are unaware of their dangers.
Product liability lawsuits against ConAgra
Makers of PAM cooking spray and other cooking oil spray that are supposed to be safe but violate state and federal consumer protection laws are subject to product liability lawsuits for their defective containers and failure to warn consumers adequately about their dangers. As a result, several cases have been filed against ConAgra seeking compensation for injuries and punitive damages meant to punish the manufacturer and pressure it to make safer cans with better warnings before more people become seriously injured.
People who have suffered burns and impact injuries have received awards for:
- injury treatments and rehabilitation
- lost wages
- pain and suffering
- medical expenses
For PAM cooking spray lawsuits, we’ll be there for you
The defective products lawyers at Berman & Simmons have been holding corporations accountable and standing up for injured Mainers for over a century. We are recognized as the statewide leader in product liability law, and we are proud of our work helping countless clients obtain compensation for their injuries and making products safer for all consumers.
Berman & Simmons is handling claims involving consumers who have been harmed by PAM cooking spray and other cooking oil spray and we’re ready to help. We have been investigating these cases and have the expertise and resources to make sure you receive full compensation for the harm done to you, and to hold manufacturers accountable for their negligence.
A Law Firm That Listens
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S., having won many of the largest jury verdicts and settlements ever obtained for injured people in Maine.
Our trial lawyers have won thousands of claims on behalf of those injured in a car accident, and each year we build on that successful track record.
Our attorneys and staff members will take the time to listen to you, work to understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved. We help you recover and make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries and loss.
We'll Take Care of the Heavy Lifting
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Many states have strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims.
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FAQs
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For your first meeting with us, simply tell us your story and explain in your own words what happened and how your life has been affected. If you’re meeting with us in person, you can bring notes about what happened to you, driver insurance information, names of any witnesses, photos of the accident damages or injuries, medical records, and other related paperwork if you have it and if it’s applicable, but that information isn’t necessary. Really all you need to do is be yourself, speak with us honestly, and be willing to tackle your problems with us.
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How will I know if I have a case?
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
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compensation: Economic and non-economic.If your case goes to trial and a jury agrees you deserve compensation, the jury members will decide how much the money you should receive for each category of damages.