WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. -- A Westmoreland County woman says a suggested 15-minute tanning session left her with back, lip and facial burns last June.

Now, she is suing the Heat Waves Tanning Salon in East Huntingdon Township for $30,000.

When Penny Rugg, 36, allegedly told employees she hadn't used a tanning bed in months, one worker told her a 15-minute session would be fine or OK, according to her attorney.

"It was bad; I couldn't even breathe through my nose. It was so swelled," Rugg said.

Rugg's attorney said the woman suffered minimal injuries but is suing because she could not reach a satisfactory settlement with the salon's insurance company.

Heat Waves told Channel 4 Action News it was voted the No. 1 tanning salon in Westmoreland County by the Tribune-Review last year.

Representatives said all of their employees are Smart Tan certified, which means they attend classes before they place you into a bed.

They allow a person to tan only after filling out a sheet. They said Ruggs filled it out and said she tanned easily and never burned.

They said she even signed a waiver at the bottom releasing the company from any liability.

Ruggs said she had to miss three weeks of work and will never be able to enjoy the sun again without fear of swelling up.

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