5 Times When Companies Were Sued for Promoting Harmful Products

Imagine strolling down the aisles of your local store, confident in the safety and effectiveness of the products lining the shelves. 

We trust these items to enhance our lives, from cleaning our homes to beautifying our bodies. But what happens when that trust is shattered, and everyday products become sources of harm?

Unfortunately, such cases are more common than we think. Companies, driven by profit and competition, sometimes prioritize speed and marketing over rigorous safety testing. 

This has led to a concerning trend of lawsuits against major corporations for promoting and selling products with hidden dangers, resulting in significant injuries and even deaths.

In this blog, we’ll explore five such cases. From hair relaxers linked to health issues to faulty devices causing devastating accidents, we’ll shed light on the consequences of corporate negligence and the ongoing fight for accountability. 

So, let’s get started!

Hair Relaxer Litigation

For many black women, hair relaxers have been a mainstay in achieving desired hairstyles. 

However, recent years have seen a growing concern regarding the potential health risks associated with these chemical products. The ongoing hair relaxer lawsuit against companies such as L’Oréal, Soft Sheen-Carson, Dark & Lovely, Just For Me, and many more is at the forefront of this conversation. 

Thousands of women have joined forces against major manufacturers, alleging their products led to serious health problems.

The key concern centers on specific chemicals found in many relaxers, such as lye, formaldehyde, parabens, and phthalates. Studies have suggested potential links between these chemicals and increased risks of uterine cancer, scalp irritation, and endocrine disruption. While the science isn’t entirely conclusive, these concerns have sparked widespread debate and prompted calls for stricter regulations and better consumer information.

As per TorHoerman Law, the lawsuit involves numerous plaintiffs, including individual women and advocacy groups, suing various hair relaxer manufacturers. The claims allege that the manufacturers failed to warn the consumers about its potential health risks. Furthermore, it also alleges that the companies used misleading marketing practices that downplay the dangers. 

The litigation is ongoing, with some early victories for plaintiffs securing settlements, while others await further legal developments.

Baby Food Heavy Metal Exposure

A 2021 congressional investigation found popular baby food brands like Gerber, Beech-Nut, Hain, and Nurture contained toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. 

Exposure to these metals during critical developmental stages poses proven health risks like cancer, neurological damage, learning difficulties, and even long-term health problems. Following these alarming revelations, the companies now face consumer protection investigations, potential regulatory action, and even a class action lawsuit alleging they knowingly sold unsafe products harming infants. 

While many brands have pledged to improve standards, lax oversight of ingredients remains an issue.

Juul E-Cigarette Marketing Tactics

E-cigarette giant Juul rocketed in popularity among youth, with over 2 million teens vaping by 2019. 

However, the company soon faced a storm of legal action from individuals and states alleging irresponsible marketing of addictive nicotine products directly to minors. Following multiple investigations, Juul faces thousands of personal injury claims, having settled some lawsuits for over $1.7 billion with around three dozen states and territories. 

The company also faces lawsuits from school districts bearing significant costs addressing student vaping. The lawsuits also claim that the product caused them seizures, lung damage, various diseases, and stroke. While Juul maintains its products aim to benefit adult smokers, the years of youth-oriented promotions, indicate they prioritized profits over public health.

J&J Sunscreen Recall Over Carcinogen

In 2021, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) sent shockwaves by recalling several popular Aveeno and Neutrogena aerosol sunscreens due to trace amounts of benzene, a known carcinogen.

Following this, the testing organization, Valisure, found the same chemical in nearly 80 additional sun care products from various companies. The carcinogen’s presence sets the stage for legal fallout, including a 2022 lawsuit alleging the companies knowingly concealed this danger from consumers. 

While the FDA investigates the risks, the developing situation shows how prominent health and beauty companies can distribute products containing toxins, violating safety assumptions. Critics argue stricter standards and testing could have averted this consumer hazard.

Peloton Treadmill Child Death

Peloton faced backlash when safety flaws in its treadmill design allegedly led to the death of a child pulled under the running machine. 

There were also 70 reported individual injuries tied to Peloton treadmills. A resulting PR crisis, federal safety warning, and a voluntary recall of around 125,000 treadmills cost Peloton over $165 million in lost value. The company now also faces a lawsuit from the family of the deceased alleging Peloton knew of dangers but failed to address risks, valuing profitability over candor with customers. 

Peloton agreed to pay $19 million to settle the lawsuit. However, Peloton insists it acted promptly, improving the Tread+ while cooperating with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The case marks growing legal efforts to hold fitness brands liable if equipment defects injure consumers at home.

These five cases serve as stark reminders that even everyday products can harbor hidden dangers. While innovation and convenience drive our consumer choices, we must remain vigilant.

Remember, lawsuits represent only a fraction of potential harm. Countless individuals grapple with unforeseen consequences, often in silence. This doesn’t mean we abandon trust. It simply urges us to become informed consumers. Research ingredients, question marketing claims, and prioritize brands committed to transparency and rigorous safety testing.

Demand accountability from manufacturers and advocate for stricter regulations. Ultimately, our collective voice holds the power to shape a safer product landscape, one where trust is earned, not assumed.