JOY MANGANO-BRAND STEAMERS ALLEGEDLY CAUSED “SERIOUS AND PERMANENT INJURIES”
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), HSN, Inc. -- formerly known as the “Home Shopping Network” – has agreed to pay a $16 million penalty for allegedly violating federal law (to wit: the Consumer Product Safety Act).
Among other things, the company is said to have been aware of defects associated with certain clothing steamers marketed under its "Joy Mangano"-brand but failed to take appropriate action in response to reports that the items -- identified as “My Little Steamer,” and “My Little Steamer Go Mini" -- “would spray, expel, and/or leak hot water while in use, resulting in serious and permanent injuries, a limited number of which constituted grievous bodily injury.”
Over a multi-year period, the company reportedly received hundreds of consumer complaints, injury reports, and insurance claims, related to incidents of “second and third-degree burns, scarring and one report of partial hearing loss,” yet failed to timely notify the CPSC of the product-related hazards and safety risks.
In addition to the $16 million penalty, HSN has agreed to modify its reporting and compliance practices, and will, over a three year period, report to the CPSC as to the effectiveness of its “compliance policies, procedures, systems, and training.”
Bet they steamed over that.
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