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.
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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.
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FAQs
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What are cooking spray can fires and explosions?
Cooking spray can fires and explosions have severely burned and disfigured several people nationwide. Despite these accidents, the products continue to be sold, and consumers are often unaware of their dangers.
Aerosol cans have been known to burst in extreme heat, however, defective design, over-pressurization, and highly flammable contents have contributed to the explosions.
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 “100% natural” ingredients, which actually include highly flammable petroleum-based propellants such as propane, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas or butane.
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What causes cooking spray can fires and explosions?
Fires and explosions from cooking oil spray can happen for a number of reasons. Too much pressure, exposure to extreme heat, and defective design are contributing factors.
In tests chemical and fire expert Dr. Michael Fox of Chemaxx conducted, he found a design flaw that can cause some of the explosions. Vents at the bottom of the larger size canisters that were meant to reduce pressure and prevent explosions can release flammable gas and start fires near heat or open flames. These vents may also release the contents at temperatures and pressures below those expected to cause venting, and when combined with too much pressure, the containers can become fireballs and burn anything in their paths.
Not all of the accidents have occurred near heat sources, and the potential for sudden fires, severe burns, disfigurement, and death makes these products particularly hazardous for consumers, yet they remain on the market.
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Why are there product liability lawsuits against ConAgra?
Exploding cans of cooking spray have seriously injured several people nationwide, yet the products are still on the market, and consumers are often unaware of their dangers.
Many people injured have filed lawsuits against ConAgra, maker of PAM cooking spray, and other responsible parties seeking damages for their injuries, pain, and suffering. These product liability cases also cover the design flaws that contributed to these accidents and the lack of adequate safety warnings.
Jury verdict or settlement awards to plaintiffs in these cases can potentially send a message to cooking spray manufacturers, including ConAgra, that they need to make their products safer for consumers and improve their warning labels.
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Have other people been harmed by exploding cooking spray cans?
Many people have suffered debilitating cooking spray burns and injuries. Their injuries have included blindness, full and partial burns to the face, arms, hands, neck and other areas, and even death. Some of the exploding cooking spray accidents 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.
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Do I have a PAM cooking spray explosion lawsuit?
Makers of PAM and other cooking oil sprays that are supposed to be safe, but violate state and federal consumer protection laws are subject to product liability lawsuits.
Several lawsuits have been filed against ConAgra, maker of PAM cooking spray, seeking compensation for injuries, and punitive damages meant to punish the company and pressure it to make safer cans with better warnings before more people become seriously injured.
If an exploding cooking spray can has caused you to suffer severe burns, disfigurement, pain, and emotional distress, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and for damages from the manufacturer.
If you think you have a product liability case, contact us today for your free, confidential consultation.
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How do I keep my kitchen safe from cooking spray can explosions?
Too much pressure, exposure to extreme heat, and defective design have proven to be contributing factors in cooking spray can explosions and fires. It’s important to educate your family about the dangers of cooking oil sprays and how they can protect themselves. Here are some safety tips to consider:
- keep aerosol cans far away from heat sources or anything flammable
- avoid storing aerosol cans near heat or open flames
- avoid cooking with grease; some cooking spray accidents have involved grease fires
- consider healthier alternatives to non-stick cooking oil sprays such as olive oil, butter or other natural oils
- apply cooking spray to pans or food at a safe distance away from heat
- if you ever catch fire from an exploding cooking spray can, “stop, drop, and roll” by slowly lowering yourself to the floor and rolling in a safe place that won’t cause major damage to extinguish the flames.