HSN pays to settle pressure cooker case

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- HSN - formerly known as the Home Shopping Network - has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle allegations that it failed to report safety information related to the recall of about 3,900 Wellbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.

The commission alleged that, from September 2001 through about October 2004, HSN received at least 25 consumer complaints related to the safety of the devices and failed to report them immediately as required by Federal law. According to the agency, HSN didn't report complaints until February 2005. The units weren't recalled until June 2005.

According to the recall notice issued in 2005, HSN received 43 reports of the pressure cooker lid popping open prematurely, which could allow the cooker's hot contents to injure nearby individuals. Burn injuries, least four of which were third-degree burns, were reported in 37 of the complaints.

The CPSC said HSN, in agreeing to settle the matter, denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

The commission said the Consumer Product Safety Act requires that sellers like HSN report complaints immediately if there is a risk of serious injury or death.