Paula Abdul Sues Salon for Alleged Burns From Weight-Loss Treatment

Jan. 13, 2014— -- Former American Idol and Dancing With the Stars judge Paula Abdul may not be relying just on positivity to look great at age 51. The former choreographer and singer is suing a tanning and weight-loss salon in Los Angeles for giving her second or third-degree burns on her thigh, according to her lawsuit.

The singer behind the 1989 pop hit "Cold Hearted" said she visited Uvasun West Inc. tanning salon in Los Angeles on Jan. 20, 2012, for a "SlimStar infrared body wrap treatment," according to the lawsuit filed on Jan. 9 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The website for Uvasun claims that the SlimStar "heat therapy" is a "weight control, inch loss, pain management, detoxification system," that allows users to burn "1,200 or more calories in just one 50-minute session." The treatment is listed online for $129.

Abdul claims she burned alright, but it wasn't calories.

Abdul accuses the company of applying the treatment "negligently, carelessly and recklessly," causing "severe and painful burns over her body, with an especially severe second or third degree burn on a portion of [her] left thigh," the lawsuit claims.

A publicist for Paula Abdul declined to comment.

Keith Bremer, attorney for Uvasun West, said that the company denies all claims against it.

"We deny that these injuries were caused by our client and we look forward to defending this case," he said.

Companies typically have 30 days after they are served to respond in court to legal complaints.

Abdul experienced "great mental, physical and nervous strain, pain and suffering and loss of earnings potential," the lawsuit states. She alleges she had to get the help of "physicians, surgeons and health care providers" to treat her afterward, "which incurred medical and incidental expenses not yet known," the suit alleges.

She requests a jury trial and unspecified damages.

Abdul has opened up about her health in the past, revealing in 2005 that she suffered from a neurological disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy that causes chronic pain. In 2012, she shared with Dr. Oz that some of her "anti-aging" secrets include a kale-based "green drink," and pomegranate seeds.