Plaintiffs allege that J&J failed to include labeling that certain Aveeno and Neutrogena may have contained a carcinogen, benzene in sunscreens.
Less than seven weeks after the results of a lab test by Valisure found 27% of 294 batches of sunscreen products they tested contained as much as 3 times the FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm) benzene, a known carcinogen. J&J announced a recall of five spray products and ordered retailers to stop selling Neutrogena’s sunscreens labeled Beach Defense, Cool Dry Sport, Invisible Daily, Ultra Sheer, and Aveeno Protect + Refresh.
Multiple law firms have filed class actions against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of purchasers of certain Aveeno and Neutrogena sunscreens that have dangerous and unacceptable levels of the known cancer-causing chemical, benzene.
Benzene, which is often found in crude oil and identified by the smell associated with gasoline, is classified as a human carcinogen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and a Group 1 compound (i.e. “carcinogenic to humans”) by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The Complaints Against Johnson & Johnson
The plaintiffs’ complaint alleges that Johnson & Johnson failed to include labeling that the sunscreens may contain benzene as an active or inactive ingredient, rendering the products adulterated, misbranded and unlawful for sale. The complaint also alleges that Johnson & Johnson’s conduct caused economic damages to the plaintiffs, who relied on the ingredient list and advertising to decide whether to purchase the sunscreen.
On July 14, 2021, Johnson & Johnson admitted the products were unfit to sell due to unsafe levels of benzene, in a voluntary recall of five aerosol sunscreens. Johnson & Johnson has recalled all lots of these five products.
“Johnson & Johnson continued to market these sunscreen products as safe and healthy for consumers after being alerted to dangerous levels of a known, cancer-causing chemical,” commented Keller Lenkner Partner Warren Postman. “Companies that knowingly sell cancer-causing products to the public should face serious consequences for their actions, and we will pursue all available remedies for consumers who were injured by Johnson & Johnson’s disregard for public health.”
“When these kinds of safety failures occur, the American public deserves a swift and transparent accounting of what happened and what is being done to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” added Beasley Allen attorney David Byrne. “Johnson & Johnson’s response falls far short of that.”
Of course, this is not the first time Johnson & Johnson has been accused of covering up a cancer-causing ingredient in one of its products. Last year, the company was ordered to pay $750 million in punitive damages to four cancer victims who charged that the company’s baby powder contained cancer-causing asbestos.
Benzene in Sunscreens
Benzene, a known human carcinogen, has been associated with blood cancers such as leukemia. What makes these findings “particularly concerning”, according to Valisure, is that these products are absorbed through the skin and multiple studies conducted by FDA researchers have shown chemicals in sunscreen products are found in the blood at high levels following skin application.
Free Consultation with Johnson & Johnson Sunscreen Lawsuit Lawyers
Sunscreen is supposed to prevent skin cancer—not cause it. Serious questions remain about how benzene ended up in these products and what the manufacturers knew, or should have known, about cancer causing ingredients in sunscreen. What’s certain is that a known human carcinogen has no place in any product, never mind one that is intended to be applied every day, for a lifetime.
McKay Law is one of the best personal injury law firms in the U.S. McKay Law is investigating the link between sunscreen and cancer. Many sunscreen brands are owned by large multinational companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. Taking on a big company requires a big law firm. We have a proven track record of representing the people, against the powerful, and achieving incredible results.
Did you use a sunscreen that, unbeknownst to you or your doctor, contains benzene? Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Our Johnson & Johnson Sunscreen lawsuit lawyers are ready to review your claim and let you know how we can help. Get in touch with McKay Law for a no-cost, no-obligation case review. We are actively filing claims now and you do not want to miss being paid in the first group of damage awards.
Free consultation 24/7 with McKay Law’s Johnson & Johnson Sunscreen lawsuit / Neutrogena sunscreen cancer lawsuit lawyers. Call us today or submit your case.
