Johnson & Johnson Sunscreen Recall

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Sunscreen should be an important part of outdoor summer fun, but some manufacturers have been taking heat for sunscreen recalls. Specifically, some of Johnson & Johnson’s sunscreen has been found too risky to keep on the shelf of your local convenience store.

This article lays out some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about sunscreen recalls, lists other products that cause cancer, and seeks to help you in your decision of whether to hire a personal injury attorney if you think you may have been injured by a dangerous sunscreen product.

If you or a loved one is the victim of a sunscreen injury, speak with a personal injury attorney at (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation. A Zinda Law Group lawyer is ready to listen to how you were injured and will let you know how you can proceed to recover.

Johnson & Johnson sunscreen

Johnson & Johnson is a major corporation responsible for countless health-related products. It produces Band-aids, medical devices, and even COVID-19 vaccines. Your favorite everyday skincare products and the elements of your basic first aid kit likely include Johnson & Johnson goods. In fact, you’ve probably used a Johnson & Johnson product recently.

Johnson & Johnson was founded in 1886, so the company has had its fair share of recalls as well as blockbuster-selling products. One such recall is that of its sunscreen. Johnson & Johnson issued a voluntary recall on its sunscreen on July 14, 2021, and advised its consumers to stop using those products, offering refunds upon proof of purchase.

Did Johnson & Johnson Recall all Sunscreen?

Importantly,  the recall applies to five of Johnson & Johnson’s sunscreen products, affecting two brands. Johnson & Johnson did not include all of its sunscreen in the recall. It is limited to the aerosol sunscreens, so the lotion, non-sprayable varieties of sunscreen are still safe to use and available in stores.

Sunscreen Recall FAQs

Consumers who bought sunscreen or other Johnson & Johnson products might have questions about the recall and how it affects them. We have compiled answers for some of the most important questions to ask about this recall. If you still have questions after reading this article and think you may have been injured by sunscreen, please reach out to our attorneys.

Why Did Johnson & Johnson Recall its Sunscreen?

Johnson & Johnson conducted internal research and found that although its aerosol sunscreens did not purposefully include carcinogens, there were still trace amounts of the carcinogen benzene. To avoid causing further damage and injury to its consumers, the company pulled the products and advised purchasers against using the sunscreen anymore.

Which Brands Have Dangerous Sunscreen?

Johnson & Johnson’s recall included two brands with aerosol sunscreens. Neutrogena makes four of the types of sunscreens, and Aveeno makes the fifth one. On each of the brands’ respective websites, you can be refunded for the recalled sunscreen you purchased. All you have to do is provide proof of your purchase through a picture and/or a receipt and the company will pay you back. Still, the few dollars you spent on your initial purchase of the sunscreen does not compare to the injury that the sunscreen may have caused you. If long-term use of the sunscreen causes cancer, you might be entitled to compensation.

Does Sunscreen Cause Cancer?

Valisure conducted research for Johnson & Johnson to determine whether the corporation’s brands of sunscreen were dangerous. The researcher detected small amounts of benzene in the aerosol sunscreens; benzene is known to be a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer. While exposure to just a small amount of benzene on a limited number of occasions will probably not cause cancer, it is best to avoid contact with the carcinogen whenever possible.

How Benzene causes cancer

Benzene is a highly flammable liquid that forms from natural phenomena like volcanoes and forest fires, but most of your exposure to the substance is probably from human activities like driving, smoking, and manufacturing materials. It affects the blood cells, and long-term exposure (a year or more) can negatively impact your health.

Short-Term Exposure to Benzene

Benzene can have both short- and long-term effects. In a short period with more exposure, benzene can cause the following:

• Headaches
• Dizziness or confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Drowsiness
• Tremors

If it is ingested in large quantities, benzene can cause vomiting, convulsions, fast heart rate, or even death. Touching liquid benzene with your skin can lead to redness and blisters in the short term.

Long-Term Exposure to Benzene

Unfortunately,  benzene can cause leukemia, which is a cancer found in blood and blood-forming organs. Long-term exposure to benzene can lead to other problems, such as:

• Anemia (reduced red blood cell count)
• Reduced white blood cell count
• Reduced blood platelet count

Some studies indicate that long-term benzene exposure can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and shrinkage of the ovaries.

Other cancer-causing products

Although benzene is a notorious cause of cancer, it is not the only ingredient that has come under fire for that reason. Because it is such a large business, Johnson and Johnson has other cancer-causing products. You may have heard about women who used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder developing ovarian cancer, or perhaps you know that people who used the baby powder got mesothelioma. This is because the talcum powder that Johnson & Johnson had been using for years in its baby powder contained asbestos.

There are thousands of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson for all kinds of products, from prescription drugs to hip implants. Not all of these products cause cancer; many have harmed the consumer in some other way. This does not mean that Johnson & Johnson is a bad company that does not take appropriate precautions, but it is still liable for the injuries that its products cause.

Should I still wear sunscreen?

Yes, you should continue to wear sunscreen that does not contain trace amounts of benzene. While tanned skin looks healthy and attractive, the risk of melanoma is too great to avoid sunscreen altogether. You can prevent more than merely a sunburn by faithfully applying sunscreen.

Melanoma

You can acquire a gene mutation related to melanoma, a common skin cancer, by having too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. UV rays can affect the DNA of your skin cells, causing them to become cancerous. Tanning beds are especially prominent culprits of many peoples’ exposure to UV rays.

Skin that is more darkly pigmented is less at risk of developing melanoma, but anyone can get melanoma on the palms of their hands, the bottoms of their feet, or under their nails.

How Sunscreen Prevents Melanoma

Think about the name “sunscreen” or “sunblock.” This gives a hint about how sunscreen generally works. There are a few ingredients in sunscreens that absorb or scatter UV rays before they hit your skin. This reduces your exposure to UV rays and decreases your likelihood of developing melanoma.

Sunscreens can contain mineral ingredients or chemical ingredients that help prevent melanoma. Look for mineral ingredients that block or scatter the rays, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide; chemical ingredients that absorb rays include avobenzone and octisalate. Many types of sunscreens will have both mineral ingredients and chemical ingredients.

When should i look for a personal injury lawyer near me?

Your injury caused by the long-term use of aerosol sunscreen is a products liability claim, meaning you will need to prove five things if you want to win your case against Johnson & Johnson:

1. Johnson & Johnson sold a product that you used.

2. Johnson & Johnson is the commercial seller of the product.

3. You suffered an injury.

4. When Johnson & Johnson sold the item, the item was defective.

5. The defect actually and proximately caused your injury.

A personal injury attorney near you can help you with every step of your case, from filing your claim to gathering evidence to negotiating a settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer may even help you take your case to trial.

Call Zinda Law Group’s personal injury lawyers

Now that you have a clearer understanding of how sunscreen could injure you, make sure you are not missing out on necessary compensation. The process will be even more streamlined than many other products liability cases in which the maker has not recalled its product since it is a widely recognized injury. However, a recall is by no means a company’s admission of liability; you must still prove all elements of a products liability case.

If you have been injured by sunscreen that has been recalled or by another cancer-causing product, you may be entitled to compensation. Our personal injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group want to listen to your experience and help you with your case. Call us at (800) 863-5312 and schedule your free consultation if you are curious about your case. Our No Win, No Fee Guarantee means that will not pay us unless we win your case for you.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.