Walmart Recalls BHG Aromatherapy Room Spray

Walmart Recalls Aromatherapy Spray Due to Bacterial Concerns

On October 22, 2021, Reuters reported that Walmart recalled approximately 3,900 bottles of aromatherapy spray out of concern for the safety of consumers. The recall came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tested a version of an aromatherapy spray by Better Homes and Gardens and detected a rare and potentially deadly bacteria.

Health officials suspect that the rare and dangerous bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in the Better Homes and Gardens room spray with gemstones, might be responsible for at least two deaths and four illnesses across the country.

Some of the following scents might contain dangerous bacteria and be included in the recall:

  • gem room spray lavender
  • gem room spray sandalwood
  • gem room spray lime
  • gem room spray lemon

If you are unsure about whether the product you have is part of the recall, you can try contacting Walmart.

What Should You Do If You Bought Recalled Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Room Spray?

The recall applies to 3,900 bottles of a product called “Walmart’s Better Homes and Gardens-labeled Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones.” (BHG Gem Room Spray)

Reuters reported that Walmart sold the aromatherapy room spray manufactured in India, at more than fifty stores and on its website. The recalled room spray was also sold on the Walmart website between February 2021 and October 2021. Walmart is trying to prevent further sales of Better Homes and Gardens room spray that might contain dangerous bacteria.

The CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has warned the public of the possible presence of a rare bacteria in Better Homes and Gardens oil infused aromatherapy room spray. If you think you might have one of the recalled spray products in your home – the CDC suggests you do the following:

  • Immediately stop using the aromatherapy spray
  • Do not open the bottle
  • Do not throw it away
  • Double bag the spray in clear Ziploc bags
  • Place the item in a small cardboard box
  • Bring the securely bagged and boxed product to any Walmart store
  • Wash sheets, clothes, and linens that might have been sprayed with the product
  • Wipe down all surfaces with anti-bacterial disinfectants that might have come in contact with the spray and its dangerous bacteria.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said that people who return the recalled products to a Walmart store would receive a gift card.

Why Did Walmart Recall Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy Room Spray?

The CDC found the rare and potentially deadly bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei inside the bottles of some of the recalled room sprays.

Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis, which is a rare but serious disease. It can lead to potentially deadly infections.

The CDC was researching several confirmed cases of melioidosis in the US earlier in 2021. Cases of melioidosis in the US are usually the result of people traveling out of the country and bringing it back with them. It is not an illness that can be transmitted from person to person. One gets melioidosis from direct contact with soil, water, or other agent contaminated with Burkholderia pseudomallei.

These cases, however, did not involve individuals who traveled at all. Typically, the United States sees only about twelve cases of melioidosis a year, most of them in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The bacterial infection is much more common in tropical climates, predominantly in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia.

The CDC was deeply concerned about the four infections and two deaths from melioidosis. While investigating these recent cases of melioidosis, the CDC found a contaminated bottle of the Better Homes and Gardens aromatherapy spray in the home of one victim who lives in Georgia. The agency is trying to determine if the other victims in Kansas, Texas, and Minnesota, also used the aromatherapy room spray.

What Are the Symptoms of Melioidosis?

Melioidosis has a long list of possible symptoms which can appear anywhere from one day to years after exposure to the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria. Typically, symptoms begin about two to four weeks after exposure. Anyone exposed to the bacteria can develop melioidosis.
But those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, cancer, liver disease, renal disease, or COPD are at greater risk.

The illness often presents like pneumonia or tuberculosis.

According to the CDC, signs and symptoms of melioidosis can include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sepsis
  • Respiratory distress, coughing, wheezing
  • Chest pain
  • Disorientation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Abscess
  • Weight loss
  • Brain infection
  • Seizures

The CDC suggests you seek medical care if you have any of these symptoms and used Walmart’s Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones within the past few days or weeks. Tell your doctor if you might have been exposed to a potentially deadly bacteria.

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP If You Have Become Ill Because of Recalled Products

If you have become sick because of a product that has been recalled, you might be able to take legal action against the maker of the product.

Manufacturers have legal responsibilities to ensure their products are not unreasonably dangerous. When they fail to live up to their duties to the public, they might owe compensation to injured victims.

Call our dangerous product lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP today at 800-403-6191 to determine if you are entitled to seek compensation after being injured by recalled aromatherapy room spray or suffering another product related injury.

 

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Baby Formula Lawsuits Stem From Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Baby Formula, and Lawsuits

WebMD describes Necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, as “a serious disease that affects the intestines of premature infants” that typically “happens within the first 2 weeks of life in babies who are fed formula instead of breast milk.”

Now, families of premature babies who developed NEC are filing lawsuits against the makers of some baby formulas for failing to warn them about the potential risk of their infants developing this life threatening infection.

What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition marked by the invasion of bacteria. In necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteria attack the intestinal walls, which results in inflammation. Such inflammation in preterm babies can lead to cracks that allow the bacteria to leak into the abdomen.

If not treated immediately, NEC can lead to a deadly sepsis infection.

How Does Formula Cause Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

The medical profession is not entirely certain what causes necrotizing enterocolitis. But, researchers do know that it is much more common in premature infants who receive formula instead of breast milk. Some doctors speculate that because preemies have underdeveloped lungs and intestines, they have restricted blood and oxygen flow. The result is difficulty digesting their food and fighting off infections.

According to research, cow’s milk formulas such as Similac and Enfamil contribute to the increased risk of developing NEC. The increased risk is substantial enough to cause parents to worry about their babies’ treatment in the neonatal unit after their preterm deliveries.

The link between necrotizing enterocolitis and formulas like Similac and Enfamil is evident enough to cause hundreds of families to file lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson Company for failing to warn them of the danger to their newborns.

Who is Most at Risk for Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Any newborn baby is at some risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis. But, it is most common in preterm babies who are born under 3.5 lbs. According to WebMD, those at highest risk of necrotizing enterocolitis include “high-risk or premature babies who are fed formula by mouth or tube.”

What Are Some Symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Symptoms can vary, but generally, infants with necrotizing enterocolitis can develop the following during their first two weeks-

  • Green abdominal fluid
  • Bloody stools
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Bloated abdomen
  • Stagnant digestion
  • Low heart rate
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Obvious fatigue

If your doctor observes any of these conditions, they will likely order tests in the NICU to determine their cause. Your baby might undergo x-rays, tests for fluid, and blood tests.

Can Necrotizing Enterocolitis Be Treated?

When necrotizing enterocolitis is not detected in time or it progresses too quickly to treat effectively, it can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis. Sepsis is often deadly.

However, if NEC is caught quickly, doctors might be able to treat your newborn with IV fluids, oxygen, antibiotics, and other non-surgical treatments.

However, sometimes, the infection does not heal as planned. The necrotizing enterocolitis and dead tissue that results may have caused a hole to form in the intestines or elsewhere. When this occurs, surgery is usually necessary to remove the dead tissue and any part of the intestines that might have ruptured or weakened. Sometimes, doctors must perform an “ostomy,” which reroutes the intestines or bowel to the abdomen.

The long-term effects of NEC surgery can include narrowing or blocking of the intestines or bowel, which can lead to the need for additional surgeries. NEC can also cause a lifetime of nutritional deficiencies.

Is NEC Preventable?

There is no certain way to prevent NEC. But, studies show that babies who receive only breast milk, even donor breast milk, are less likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis, especially those born prematurely.

Premature babies might need to be fed through a bottle or tube for various reasons. The mother might have trouble nursing, or the baby might have health problems that make it impossible for the mother to nurse while the baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit. In these situations, formula feeding might be the best decision.

But, how can parents decide without incomplete information? Did you know that human milk might be best for a premature baby’s nutrition? Did anyone tell you that cows milk based formulas might significantly increase the risk of damage to a newborn’s intestinal tissue or the abdominal cavity? Were you given the option to use donor milk?

These are all important questions that might be critical to anyone considering filing a baby formula lawsuit. Our law firm is reviewing lawsuits that seek to hold the manufacturers accountable for the serious injuries their formula can cause.

What Are NEC Formula Lawsuits?

Some families are trying to hold accountable the makers of formulas like Similac and Enfamil. These are families with preemies who developed NEC after receiving formula in the NICU. Some of the infants suffered severe injuries that required surgery, while others had fatal injuries.

The lawsuits allege that the makers of Similac and Enfamil, Abbott Laboratories, and Mead Johnson Company had a duty to warn them of the increased risk of NEC among preterm babies. The families are seeking damages, claiming the failure to warn of the dangers of NEC rendered them incapable of making an informed decision about the care of their baby.

You are entitled to know that the formula the NICU is feeding your baby can increase the risk of deadly bacterial infections. Manufacturers have a duty to warn doctors and consumers/patients of dangers they know about or should know about. The warnings should be on their products labels.
Exercise your legal rights when baby formula manufacturers fail to warn and injure your child. You might be entitled to financial compensation.

Call Our Baby Formula Lawyers if Your Baby Was Diagnosed with NEC

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, if your child was born prematurely, fed formula, and diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. We will gladly provide you with a free case evaluation and determine if you are entitled to seek damages from the makers of baby formula.

Did your child need medical care or surgery after being diagnosed with NEC? Did your child receive formula with cow’s milk like Similac or Enfamil?

Call us today at 800-403-6191 to find out if you can file a baby formula lawsuit.

 

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Judicial Panel Centralizes Sunscreen MDL Against Johnson & Johnson

Federal Judicial Panel Centralizes Sunscreen Litigation Against Johnson & Johnson

The federal JPML (Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation) granted an order that will centralize multidistrict litigation (MDL) filed against Johnson & Johnson over sunscreen contaminated with benzene.

The judicial panel ruled that the cases would be centralized before Judge Anuraag Singhal in the Southern District of Florida.

At the time the parties argued their motions before the judicial panel, there were at least eight class actions (and potentially at least nine others) pending in five districts around the country. The plaintiffs in these matters allege that Johnson & Johnson manufactured sunscreen products that were contaminated with benzene, a human carcinogen. The recalled sunscreen products included several batches of Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreen spray.

Why Centralize Recalled Sunscreen Lawsuits?

The U.S. Judicial panel often consolidates complex consumer product liability or defective product claims. These lawsuits often involve products used by hundreds, thousands, and sometimes millions of consumers.

To avoid duplicating efforts, when so many cases exist against the same party – in this case, Johnson & Johnson – rest on similar facts, legal issues, and alleged injuries, it often makes sense to centralize them in one court, under the guidance of one judge.

For the purpose of pretrial discovery and motions, it avoids duplicating efforts and wasting time. Creating centralized multidistrict litigation also prevents inconsistent rulings from different judges about essentially the same facts and issues.

In these benzene contamination cases, the Plaintiffs supported moving the claims to the District of New Jersey, the Northern District of California, the Southern District of Florida, the Northern District of Alabama, and the Central District of California.

The defendants, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. and Johnson & Johnson (collectively, J&J), and Costco Wholesale Corporation, supported centralization in the District of New Jersey or the Southern District of Florida.

The decision to move the claims to Florida was based on the fact that the lawsuits contained similar allegations and that doing so would “serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation.”

Johnson & Johnson Sunscreen Recall Leads to Lawsuits

When Johnson & Johnson issued its nationwide recall of several batches of Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreen, it was because of the presence of benzene. These sunscreens are some of the company’s most popular sun care brands.

After independent testing by the company Valisure detected benzene in dozens of sunscreen and sun care products, the FDA issued safety notices, warnings, and other information, eventually leading to the voluntary recall of the contaminated items.

Why is benzene dangerous? Benzene exposure means you are at an increased risk of cancer. What type of cancer?

  • Acute lymphocytic lymphoma
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Other blood and bone marrow cancer

Several plaintiffs contend that this recall was inadequate and should have included more sun care products.

If You Used Recalled Sunscreen, Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, To Find Out If You Are Eligible to File a Benzene Cancer Lawsuit

Litigation against the makers of dangerous sunscreen products is underway. Our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP are interviewing clients about their injuries and use of aerosol sunscreen and other sun care products that may lead to an increased risk of cancer.

Call us today at 800-403-6191 to schedule a free consultation with our dangerous drug and recalled sunscreen lawyers.

 

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Federal Judicial Panel Centralizes Recalled CPAP Litigation

Federal Judicial Panel Centralizes Philips CPAP Recall Lawsuits

The U.S. JPML (Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation) has decided to consolidate the multiple Philips CPAP lawsuits and BiPAP lawsuits that have been filed in federal courts across the nation.

After hearing oral arguments, the JPML has determined that the lawsuits will be centralized in one court – the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Pennsylvania under the watchful eye of U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

The purpose of centralization is to allow coordinated discovery and case management of the dozens of CPAP lawsuits already filed and the many more that are expected.

Philips Recall of CPAP and BiPAP Machines Results in Lawsuits

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. BiPAP stands for bi-level positive airway pressure. BiPAP and CPAP machines are used by people with obstructive sleep apnea, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems. A sleep apnea machine is a medical device or assistive breathing device used to keep your airways open while you are asleep.

Many lawsuits have been filed since Philips recalled millions of its CPAP and BiPap sleep apnea devices because of one of its parts: sound abatement foam (also called noise abatement foam).
Complaints allege that more than three million machines in the recall contained sound abatement foam called PE-PUR. PE-PUR foam is a polyester-based foam used to reduce the sound and vibrations of sleep apnea machines.

Philips CPAP litigation contains claims that the sound abatement foam was prone to degradation and the release of toxic particles, exposing users to the risk of cancer, breathing problems, damage to the lungs, and other injuries.

The Philips CPAP lawsuit claims allege that the foam can degrade over time because of a defective design in the devices, a claim that Philips has acknowledged being true. The foam can release tiny particles into the device itself when degradation occurs, particularly in the air tubes, which lead directly into the mouths and noses of users.

The result? People using recalled sleep apnea machines can spend hours and hours every night breathing in toxic dust, debris, and chemical particles.

The lawsuits that have been filed over the recalled Philips devices include both personal injury lawsuits and class action lawsuits.

JPML Centralizes CPAP Lawsuits for MDL Pretrial Proceedings

In July 2021, a group of plaintiffs suing Philips Respironics filed a motion with the JPML asking that all Philips CPAP lawsuits be centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania or the Western. Why ask for centralization? Because lawsuits all contain similar facts, causes of action, and legal questions.

In large product liability litigation, which often occurs after a massive recall of a defective medical device, consolidation is common. When there are thousands of potential victims and plaintiffs with similar claims, it often makes sense to centralize the cases. Doing so can avoid duplicating efforts during discovery, inconveniencing witnesses, and clogging the courts.

Centralizing also avoids having dozens of Judges ruling (perhaps inconsistently) on similar claims and issues of law. The motion to consolidate the Philips CPAP machine lawsuits argued such.

Philips agreed to centralize the lawsuits but requested that they be heard in the District of Massachusetts.

The order transferring the lawsuits to the Western District of Pennsylvania states:

“The Western District of Pennsylvania is an appropriate transferee district for this litigation. The recalled products were primarily manufactured by Philips RS North America LLC (formerly Philips Respironics) in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Thus, many of witnesses and much of the documentary evidence relevant to this litigation likely will be located within the Western District of Pennsylvania.”

There are allegedly more than 100 actions related to Philips sleep apnea machines, mechanical ventilator devices, and the potential health risks of sound abatement foam. They are pending in more than 30 districts across the country and will be affected by the JPML order. There are likely many more lawsuits to come related to the Philips recall and the affected devices.

Patients Who Used Philips CPAP Machines Face Health Risks

In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration urged users of millions of Philips CPAP and BiPAP sleep apnea machines to stop using them immediately.

Philips recalled these devices and urged users to speak to their doctors about suitable and safer sleep apnea devices. Philips also established repair and replacement programs for those using the recalled CPAP devices.

Individuals who have been using recalled Philips CPAP machines might suffer these serious injuries:

  • Lung cancer
  • Other cancer
  • Respiratory infection and/or irritation
  • Side effects of untreated sleep apnea
  • Coughing
  • Asthma
  • Headache
  • Sinus infection
  • Organ damage
  • Inflammation

Manufacturers of CPAP Machines Must Warn Users of Risks

Manufacturers of medical devices and consumer products are obligated to inform users of their potential risks and dangers. Manufacturers are also required to ensure the items are reasonably safe for ordinary use.

The failure to do so might mean the manufacturer owes damages to victims who were injured by the devices.

In this instance, Philips may be liable to thousands of individuals who claim:

  • The recalled CPAP and BiPAP machines were defectively designed
  • That Philips failed to warn users of the risks and dangers of using the recalled devices

Damages in complex product liability litigation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, or punitive damages.

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, if You Were Injured by a Recalled Philips CPAP or BiPAP Device

Our lawyers are reviewing claims for individuals who used one of the CPAP or BiPAP sleep apnea devices that Philips recalled. Some of the devices include:

  • BiPAP V30
  • Non-life Supporting A-Series BiPAP A40
  • Non-life Supporting A-Series BiPAP A30
  • DreamStation ASV
  • DreamStation ST, AVAPS
  • DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
  • DreamStation GO CPAP, APAP
  • REMStar SE Auto CPAP
  • Philips Respironics Ventilators

If you used a Philips sleep apnea machine that was part of the recall, call Alonso Krangle, LLP, to schedule a free case evaluation. Find out if you are entitled to seek damages and file a Philips CPAP machine lawsuit.

Call our Philips CPAP lawsuit attorneys today at 800-403-6191 and let us help you collect the maximum damages allowed by law.

 

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Bayer Recalls Lotrimin and Tinactin Because of Benzene Contamination

Bayer Recalls Lotrimin Spray and Tinactin Spray Because of Benzene Contamination

In an October 1, 2021 announcement, Bayer issued a voluntary recall of some of its products because of the presence of benzene. Bayer’s recall, one it calls strictly a precautionary measure, comes on the heels of other companies also pulling products because of the presence of benzene, a known human carcinogen.

Bayer’s announcement, which was posted by the US Food and Drug Administration, states:

“Bayer is voluntarily recalling all unexpired Lotrimin® AF and Tinactin® spray products with lot numbers beginning with TN, CV or NAA, distributed between September 2018 to September 2021, to the consumer level due to the presence of benzene in some samples of the products.”

As is the case with some other recently recalled products, benzene is not an ingredient in Lotrimin or Tinactin spray products, and levels detected are not considered dangerous. Bayer claims that benzene is also not an ingredient in any of its other Bayer consumer health products.

The pharmaceutical mogul has assured consumers that the decision to voluntarily recall these products is out of an abundance of caution and that levels of benzene that have been detected “are not expected” to cause any adverse health effects in users.

What Are Tinactin and Lotrimin Used For?

Tinactin and Lotrimin are over-the-counter anti-fungal medications that come in cream and spray forms. They are often used to treat tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) and other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch.

What Products Has Bayer Recalled?

The recall only applies to its products sold in aerosol spray cans, not the creams. The specific products that are the subject of the recall are:

  • Tinactin® Jock Itch (JI) Powder Spray
  • Tinactin® Athlete’s Foot Liquid Spray
  • Tinactin® Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
  • Tinactin® Athlete’s Foot Deodorant Powder Spray
  • Lotrimin® Anti-Fungal Jock Itch (AFJI) Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
  • Lotrimin® AF Athlete’s Foot Liquid Spray
  • Lotrimin® AF Athlete’s Foot Daily Prevention Deodorant Powder Spray
  • Lotrimin® Anti-Fungal (AF) Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
  • Lotrimin® Anti-Fungal (AF) Athlete’s Foot Deodorant Powder Spray

What Is Benzene?

Benzene is a widely used industrial chemical, often used as a solvent to create other chemicals and products. Benzene also comes from various natural sources.

People are exposed to benzene in different ways- orally, through the skin, and through inhaling it. Depending on the amount you are exposed to and for how long, benzene can result in a variety of short-term adverse reactions and long-term illnesses, including blood disorders like anemia, severe nausea, headaches, and rashes.

Benzene is a carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans. It causes life-threatening blood cancer and bone marrow diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Bayer claims that benzene is not an ingredient in these products and that it has received no reports of adverse events related to using the recalled foot sprays.

Still, Bayer has advised consumers using the recalled products to stop immediately and seek a refund directly from Bayer. The company also suggests contacting your health care provider about alternative treatments or any adverse health consequences you may have experienced while using Lotrimin or Tinactin spray products.

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, If You Have Been Injured By Recalled Anti-Fungal Spray

Lotrimin and Tinactin are not the only products recently recalled because of benzene. Bayer’s decision to recall these products was not made in a bubble. In recent weeks, various aerosol sunscreens have been pulled from the market because they also tested positive for this dangerous carcinogen.

If you have experienced adverse health consequences because of a recalled product, you might be entitled to collect compensation. Call our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP today to schedule a free evaluation of your claim.

Call 800-403-6191 to find out more about how we can help you collect damages when you are the victim of a dangerous drug or recalled product.

 

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NY Legislators Seek Establishment of Nursing Home Compensation Fund

New York Legislators Seek to Establish $4 Billion Nursing Home Victims Compensation Fund

Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim is the sponsor of a bill that will establish a large nursing home victims compensation fund. The legislation, if passed, will open the door to financial relief for families of the approximately 15,000 individuals who died in NY nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The legislation is called “The Justice For Nursing Home Victims Act” and will, according to the New York Post, “allow families to submit applications to a nursing home victims compensation board and receive payments from the state.” The relief aims to compensate families of “those who died after contracting Covid-19 in nursing homes.”

The bill is similar to the legislation that created the Sept 11 Victims Compensation Fund. The “9/11 Fund” provides financial assistance to victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including those that are suffering from long-term health problems caused by the collapse of the World Trade Center and the toxic air that lingered in lower Manhattan.

How Much Can You Receive From the Nursing Home Victims Compensation Fund?

Eligible families would have to submit applications to the board in charge of overseeing the fund and awarding distributions. Victims would then receive the payments from the state. The exact criteria for eligibility are not yet clear.

Kim stated that families would be eligible for at least $250,000 for every loved one who died of Covid-19 in a nursing home. Spouses and dependents, Kim added, will each be able to collect a minimum payout of $100,000. Legislators would like the fund to contain 4 billion dollars, although what part of the NY State Budget that money will come from is unclear at this time.

Why Do Legislators Want A New York Nursing Home Victims Compensation Fund?

Covid-19-related nursing home deaths have been a source of controversy in New York since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Many people, including NY Attorney General Letitia James, believe that the number of nursing home residents who died from Covid-19 has been seriously unreported and manipulated. Some of former Governor Cuomo’s aides admitted to withholding data from the federal government.

Many of these deaths, according to angry family members and legislators, resulted from bad policies and practices implemented by then-Governor Cuomo.

For example, the governor issued an order that prevented nursing homes from refusing to admit or readmit Covid-19 patients and prohibited nursing homes from testing them. Although he repealed the order after a few months, experts say this policy alone resulted in up to 1000 preventable deaths.

Additionally, a provision “snuck” into the state budget granted nursing homes and their employees immunity from negligence suits related to Covid-19. This controversial “Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act” was subsequently repealed as well.

New York Legislation Seeks to Prevent Future Nursing Home Negligence

In addition to establishing the victim compensation fund, the bill would extend the statute of limitations to file personal injury claims against nursing homes for covid-19 related deaths.
NY Legislators supporting the bill clearly believe that the families of nursing home residents who were put in danger and died by these “bad” policies deserve the opportunity to seek compensation from the fund or by being allowed ample time to file civil claims.

Assemblyman Kim stated that at the height of the pandemic, the government’s motivation was protecting nursing home industry profits over lives. Kim suggests that nursing homes and long-term care facilities had financial incentives to commit “eldercide” during the pandemic. Through this bill, Kim hopes to put an end to such bad practices and make it prohibitively expensive for New York nursing homes to harm their residents.

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, If Your Loved One Suffered Harm in a New York Nursing Home

If you have a loved one or family member who died from Covid-19 while they were residents of a nursing home, you might be eligible to collect compensation. Reports suggest that the death toll of coronavirus patients who lived in long-term care facilities is greater than we think. Negligence might be to blame. Ask yourself:

  • Did someone I love who lived in a nursing home die of Covid-19 in the home or a hospital?
  • Did they receive adequate care?
  • Were they placed in danger because of the policies and practices of the nursing home?
  • Were they neglected?

Consider your answers and then call our today at 800-403-6191 to find out if you are entitled to receive compensation for the Covid-19 related death of your loved one, who was a nursing home resident. Call now to schedule a free review of your nursing home negligence claim and find out if you are eligible to seek compensation.

 

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Coppertone Recalls Sunscreen Because of Benzene Contamination

Coppertone Recalls Sunscreen Contaminated With Benzene

On September 30, 2021, Coppertone issued a voluntary recall of some of its aerosol sunscreen products because they tested positive for benzene. Benzene is a known human carcinogen and is the reason for a recent string of sunscreen and other consumer product recalls.

In its announcement, Coppertone, which Beiersdorf owns, said that it was voluntarily recalling twelve lots of “five Coppertone aerosol sunscreen spray products manufactured between the dates of January 10, 2021 and June 15, 2021.”

Test samples from these particular lots contained benzene, which, according to Coppertone, is not an ingredient in sunscreen products.

The recall only applies to certain lots of spray sunscreens. These are the specific Coppertone sunscreen products impacted by this recall as posted on the website of the Food and Drug Administration:

00072140028817
Coppertone Pure Simple Baby SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN0083J
1/10/2021

00072140028817
Coppertone Pure Simple Baby SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN0083K
1/11/2021

00072140028824
Coppertone Pure Simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN00854
1/12/2021

00072140028824
Coppertone Pure Simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN00855
1/14/2021

00072140028701
Coppertone Sport Mineral SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN008KU
3/15/2021

00072140028701
CT Sport Mineral SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN008KV
3/16/2021

00072140028800
Coppertone Pure Simple SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN00BR2
3/31/2021

00072140028817
Coppertone Pure Simple Baby SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN009GH
3/31/2021

00072140028824
Coppertone Pure simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN00857
4/6/2021

00041100005069
Coppertone Travel Size Sport Spray SPF 50 1.6OZ 24S
TN00BU3
5/6/2021

00072140028800
Coppertone Pure Simple SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN00CJ4
6/15/2021

00072140028824
Coppertone Pure Simple Kids SPF 50 SPRAY 5OZ 12S
TN00CJV
6/15/2021

In its recall notice, Coppertone has advised consumers to stop using these specific aerosol sunscreen products and to dispose of them. If anyone experienced adverse health consequences from using the recalled sunscreens, Coppertone suggests contacting your health care provider right away. Consumers can contact visit www.sunscreenrecall2021.com to request a refund and obtain additional information.

Why Should You Worry About Benzene in Sunscreen?

Benzene exposure or benzene contamination can cause immediate and long-term health problems. Exposure to high levels of benzene can cause dizziness, headaches, seizures, nausea, confusion, rashes, coughing, itching, and more.

Benzene is also a human carcinogen. This means that with repeated exposure or exposure over time, it can cause cancer. Specifically, benzene causes an increased risk of blood cancer and bone marrow cancer like lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia. Benzene can also cause other adverse health consequences like anemia and respiratory problems.

Humans are exposed to benzene in different ways-it is a widely used chemical and also found in nature. Humans can inhale or ingest it, or we can absorb it through our skin. Our skin is the body’s largest organ. It would make sense that repeated use of a product containing benzene may cause dangerous and unwelcome illnesses that can become life-threatening.

Coppertone Insists Recall is Out of An Abundance of Caution

Coppertone’s statement makes it clear that recall of the aerosol sunscreens is entirely voluntary and out of an abundance of caution. It is a precautionary measure. The announcement states that “Daily exposure to benzene at the levels detected in these affected Coppertone aerosol sunscreen spray products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences based on generally accepted exposure modeling by numerous regulatory agencies.”

Coppertone also states that as of the recall date, the company received no reports of adverse health effects related to the recalled products.

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, if You Were Injured by Recalled Coppertone Sunscreen

As with any product, manufacturers have responsibilities to the consumers who use sunscreen. Products must be safe for their intended use, and risks and warnings must be disclosed.
When the makers of consumer products, drugs, cosmetics, or sunscreen fail to disclose the risks and dangers or make an inherently dangerous product, consumers who suffer injuries might be entitled to collect compensation. This might be especially true if the product is the subject of a recall.

There are other sunscreens out there that have also been found to contain benzene. Some of the companies that make these other products have issued recall notices similar to the one issued by Coppertone. Consumers are starting to wonder who they can trust and what sunscreen products don’t increase a person’s risk of developing leukemia or other cancers.

If you used one of the five sunscreen products that have been recalled by Coppertone, find out if you are entitled to seek compensation by calling our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP. Call 800-403-6191 today to learn about your legal rights when you get injured by recalled products.

 

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