Chicago
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Edwardsville
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Premises Liability
St. Louis
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Dangerous Drugs
Defective Products
Chemical Exposure

Consumers, Johnson & Johnson, Costco Set Tentative Deal for MDL on Recalled Sunscreen

Consumers, Johnson & Johnson, Costco Set Tentative Deal for MDL on Recalled Sunscreen

A Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) alleging Costco sold Johnson & Johnson aerosol sunscreen products that contained benzene, a carcinogen known to cause leukemia, may be resolved under a tentative agreement in a Florida Federal Court. 

After some back-and-forth on where the MDL should take place, those involved agreed to centralize the case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida last month. 

Although terms of the agreement have not yet been released, J&J says that the settlement is in no way an admission of liability or wrongdoing. 

The Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreen products were recalled in July after internal testing by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. identified “low levels of benzene in some samples of the products”. This came a few months after Valisure, an online pharmacy, released test results that detected high levels of benzene in 78 sunscreen products and submitted a citizen petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Benzene is a chemical product that is widely used in the manufacturing of plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers, and is found in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Other than being a cancer-causing chemical, long-term exposure to benzene has been found to cause harmful effects on bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. 

There is growing speculation that many sunscreen products possibly contain carcinogens. The aforementioned test results released by Valisure included products from J&J and a variety of other companies. Another series of tests, conducted by Sorbonne University and Haerecticus Environmental Laboratory, found that a popularly used chemical in certain sunscreen products degrades into chemicals that can cause cancer and endocrine system disruption.

Benzene: Basic Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 Apr. 2018, https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp.

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.. Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Neutrogena® and Aveeno® Aerosol Sunscreen Products Due to the Presence of Benzene.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 14 July 2021, https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/johnson-johnson-consumer-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-specific-neutrogenar-and-aveenor-aerosol.

Chemical in Sunscreen Products Transforms into Carcinogen.” Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, 7 Mar. 2021, https://haereticus-lab.org/chemical-in-sunscreen-products-transforms-into-carcinogen/.

MacMillan, Carrie. “Is My Sunscreen Safe?Yale Medicine, 30 Aug. 2021, https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/is-sunscreen-safe.

VALISURE Detects Benzene in Sunscreen.” Valisure, 25 May 2021, https://www.valisure.com/blog/valisure-news/valisure-detects-benzene-in-sunscreen/.

Share

CLIENT REVIEWS

quotation
Tom Lewis

TorHoerman Law was responsible for handling a medical case for our family. I was extremely impressed with their professionalism and ability to react quickly. They also did a nice job keeping us updated with the case throughout the process. This was the first time experiencing a situation like this and Tor Hoerman law did an excellent job from start to finish.

quotation
Jordan Terry

TorHoerman Law is an extraordinary law firm – a firm that truly makes the client’s best interests the primary concern. Their team of personal injury lawyers are experienced, personable, and well versed in a range of litigation areas. They are supported by a dedicated team of staff that are as equally friendly and helpful. I would recommend TorHoerman Law for any personal injury litigation needs.

quotation
Dave Woodley

All of my questions were answered quickly and in a way I could understand. Steve and the entire staff were friendly and professional.

quotation
Jordan Butler

I highly recommend this law firm! The attorneys and staff at THL worked hard, communicated every step of the process, kept me well informed at all times, and exceeded all expectations! The staff is kind, considerate, professional, and very experienced. Look no further, call now!

quotation
Maddy Moeller

Top-notch, hardworking attorneys!

quotation
Karen Hersman

A wonderful and professional legal team. They helped me when I needed expert legal representation! Thank you TorHoerman Law!

quotation
Angel Truesdale

They contacted me the next day. Very nice people!

quotation
Paul Graegin

The firm went above and beyond. Thank you for everything.

quotation
Carie Terry

The attorneys at THL were extremely helpful with the legal aspects of setting up my small business.