HSN Inc., formerly known as the Home Shopping Network, has agreed to pay $16 million civil penalty over steamer devices that caused serious injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“The settlement, which has been provisionally accepted by CPSC, resolves CPSC’s charges that HSN knowingly failed to immediately report to CPSC, as required by law, that its Joy Mangano-brand My Little Steamer and My Little Steamer Go Mini contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury to consumers,” said a Wednesday announcement.
Mangano – who was portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence in the Oscar-nominated film “Joy” – is a product inventor who worked for HSN for nearly two decades before departing the company in 2018. However, she continued to be featured by the company.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that from the end of 2012 through 2019 HSN received numerous reports about the steamers. They reportedly sprayed and expelled or leaked hot water during use, resulting in serious and permanent injuries.
“A limited number,” of the injuries were “grievous” said the CPSC.
Even though HSN allegedly had information that supported the conclusion that the steamers were dangerous, this information was not immediately reported to the commission. When HSN did eventually submit a report, it had already received approximately 400 complaints of the steamers spraying or expelling hot water as well as around 700 about leaks.
Included in these were 91 reports of injury and 20 insurance claims alleging injuries. These reported injuries included second and third-degree burns, scarring and partial hearing loss.
“In addition, from information in HSN Online Reviews, HSN had knowledge of approximately 500 complaints of the steamers spraying or expelling hot water and approximately 150 complaints of leaks, including 87 reports of injury,” said the CPSC. “HSN and the Commission jointly announced a recall of the steamers on May 26, 2021.”
HSN is also required to maintain internal controls and procedures for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act. It has also agreed to submit internal audits related to its compliance program for a three-year period. Per the CPSC, the commission agreed unanimously to accept the agreement, “subject to public comment.”