Cindi Adams sent a message to Robert L. Edwards Chief Executive Officer and President at Safeway Inc. Email Address that said:
Dear Mr. Edwards,
This email is written as a complaint against one of your stores in San Leandro, CA, whom I have gotten negative results after I received a burn on my hand on one of the open “warmer ovens.” I also sent pictures of the burn to Tara Sutherland, Sedgewick Claims, case #L1535144, on 02/21/17 and have heard nothing from that department.
On February 9, 2017, I was shopping at the Safeway Store #994, in San Leandro, CA, and decided to buy two fully cooked chickens for a dinner gathering I was preparing that evening.
At approximately, 11:00 a.m., I approached the open “warmer oven” containing fully cooked hot food. There were many whole cooked chickens and packaged chicken wings in the warmer. I looked at a few of the whole chickens and decided on two. I got one and reached toward the middle of the open oven to obtain the second. When I lifted the chicken out, I briefly touched the top of the oven which, I later learned, contained hot light bulbs. My hand was burned just above my left wrist and just below my left index finger. I planned to finish shopping but my hand was burning so much that I checked out. Before leaving the store I asked to speak with a manager. The young lady who took the incident report was named “Ronna” and said she was the store manager. She did not appear concerned but took pictures of my hand and the oven when I received the burn. She also gave me a number to call (510/865-2660) as I told her I would be contacting my doctor. The number she gave me was a “bogus” number and I was unable to reach her.
I contacted the Safeway Corporate Office in Pleasanton, CA, and left a message and was finally contacted by Tara Sutherand, from Sedgewick Claims (#L1535144). My last communication with her was on 02/21/17 when I sent her photos of the burn, a copy of the incident report from Safeway Store #994, and told her my doctor informed me it is a 2nd degree burn. The burn is approximately 1¾ inches long and will leave a scar. I told Ms. Sutherland that I talked to an attorney friend of mine but have not retained one, as I felt we could settle this incident without my having to retain counsel. As of this date, I feel I have been “blown off” having not contacted, hence this email to you.
The open warmer ovens need to be adjusted so as to avoid another incident such as mine. I have a proposal for a change to make sure others do not get burned, as follows:
ï¶ Place large “Caution Hot” bright (yellow or light green) labels on the oven that is visible to consumers. When I shop, my mind is on what I have to buy rather than the potential for being injured. A bright sign would be a reminder to any shopper to be careful in certain areas; much like the mop sign after a floor has been mopped.
ï¶ The packaging on the container of the whole chicken is wrapped with wide cardboard that closes at the top, creating a handle that is approximately 2 to 3 inches high. Having the handle on top causes the person to “lift up” before pulling the item out of the oven.
ï¶ Eliminate the cardboard wrap and put a small “lip” around or on the sides of the packaged cooked chicken. This will cause consumers to put both hands on the sides of the package before lifting it out of the oven. It would eliminate having to touch the top of the package, and therefore, the risk of burns from the light bulbs.
Finally, I am asking for your consideration in compensating me for my pain and suffering, as well as the scar that is now on my hand. As of this date, the scab is still present. The lack of communication from your store manager and now the claims associate is unprofessional for an organization such as Safeway.
