CHICAGO -- An Illinois jury has ordered Conagra Brands, based in Chicago, to pay $7.1 million in damages to a Pennsylvania woman, Tammy Reese, who suffered severe burns when a can of commercial cooking spray ignited in a kitchen at her workplace in 2017.

The verdict, delivered on Monday in favor of Reese from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, marks the first in a series of similar cases across the country involving accidents with cooking spray brands manufactured by Conagra, including the popular grocery store brand, Pam.

Reese was working in a social club kitchen in May 2017 when, according to her lawsuit, a can of Swell cooking spray suddenly exploded into a fireball, causing extensive burns and injuries. She sustained deep second-degree burns on her head, face, arms, and hands, leaving her with lasting scar tissue that restricts her movement, even six years later.

The Cook County Circuit Court ruled that Conagra Brands must pay Reese $3.1 million in compensatory damages and an additional $4 million in punitive damages. Conagra Brands, the parent company of Pam and several other well-known food brands such as Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, and Hunt's, expressed disagreement with the jury's verdict in an email statement.

The company emphasized that the safety of their products and consumers is their top priority and that their cooking spray products are safe and effective when used correctly, as instructed. Conagra Brands stated that they are reviewing their legal options, including the possibility of an appeal.

According to one of Reese's lawyers, Craig Smith, there are currently over 50 pending cases against Conagra from burn victims across the United States. The company has faced criticism for allegedly refusing to issue a product recall for what has been described as "defective" cans.

Attorney Peter Flowers, also representing Reese, described the verdict as the beginning of a serious problem for Conagra. The accidents involving various spray can models of different brands manufactured between 2011 and 2019 have been attributed to a venting system with a lower threshold for heat than previous versions, according to Smith.

Smith explained that when the can reaches a certain temperature, the vents on the bottom open to release pressure, causing the release of the highly flammable contents into the air. Consumers can identify vented cooking spray cans by checking if the bottom of the can has four small U-shaped slits. Larger spray cans, typically 10 oz. (0.3 liters) or more, are more likely to be affected than the commonly-sold 6 oz. (0.18 liters) cans.

Reese's incident occurred when the cooking spray can, which had been stored on a shelf approximately 18 inches (46 centimeters) above the stove, exploded, according to Flowers. Similar incidents involving cooking spray cans stored near stoves or countertops have been reported across the country.

In response to previous lawsuits in 2019, Conagra stated that the vent system was used on a limited number of cans and had been eliminated in a subsequent product redesign unrelated to the legal cases. The company emphasized that Pam and other cooking sprays come with clear warning labels on the front and back, cautioning consumers about the flammability of the product and advising against leaving it on or near a heat source.

Cooking spray should not be stored above 120 degrees or used near an open flame, Conagra added.

As the legal battle continues, the outcome of Reese's case serves as a precedent for potential future settlements and raises concerns about the safety of cooking spray cans manufactured by Conagra Brands.