HSN Settles Pressure-Cooker Accusations for $875K

Home Shopping Channel Avoids Lawsuit by DOJ, Consumer Product Safety Commission

By B&C Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/27/2007 3:44:00 PM

HSN and its partner companies will pay an $875,000 civil settlement to prevent a lawsuit by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Department of Justice over government accusations that the home shopping network failed to warn customers about potentially dangerous pressure cookers, AP reported.

The CPSC announced Thursday that the payment was part of a settlement reached with HSN LP and its partner companies over defects in Welbilt electronic pressure cookers sold from September 2001-November 2002, AP reported.

As part of the settlement, HSN denied that it was aware of 25 reports about problems with the appliance and acknowledged no responsibility for failing to promptly warn consumers, according to AP.

Welbilt reported problems with the appliance to the CPSC in February 2005, and two recalls were issued for the appliance -- one in June 2005, another in October 2005 -- AP reported.

"The safety of our customers is HSN's highest priority, which is why we voluntarily reported this matter to the CPSC," HSN spokesman Brad Bohnert told AP. "Although we disagree with the allegations of the CPSC, we have agreed to resolve this matter without the distraction and expense of litigation."