Injuries have ranged from skin irritation to hospitalization and even death.
Most Americans don’t think twice before trying the latest hair or skin care product. You may see it on an infomercial or in an aisle at your local drugstore. It might promise glowing skin, shiny, bouncy hair, or to stop hair loss. Whatever the promise may be, the price is right, so you snap it up — only to find that your skin is inflamed, you have suffered an allergic reaction, or something far worse.
Hair and skin care products are incredibly popular — but they are mostly unregulated. This fact may surprise most consumers, who may assume that if they are available for sale in the United States, they must have gone through some sort of testing or approval process. This is not the case. In fact, the cosmetics industry is largely self-regulated. A company or a person can develop a cosmetic, skincare, or hair care product and sell it without permission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consumers then purchase these products, and rub and spray them all over their bodies — including heads and faces — making them particularly vulnerable to dangerous or defective products.
When a cosmetic, skin or hair care product has a bad impact on someone, it is said to result in an “adverse event.” This could be something as mild as a rash or nausea, or as serious an injury that requires hospitalization. You can report your adverse event to the FDA and/or to the manufacturer, but there is no guarantee that the FDA will investigate or that the manufacturer will take steps to address the problem.
According to data recently released by the FDA, the number of adverse events related to hair and skin care products doubled from 2015 to 2016. This increase was mostly attributed to complaints about WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioners, a product sold largely by infomercial. The FDA is investigating WEN after receiving complaints regarding hair loss and skin irritation after using these products.
While many injuries associated with using hair and skin care products may be minor, they can have a long-term impact. For example, if a shampoo causes significant hair loss or if a skin care product causes a rash all over someone’s face, that person may be unable to work for a period of time — and they may suffer pain and embarrassment due to the injury. Because the FDA has largely avoided regulating this industry, consumers may turn to products liability attorneys to get the help they need to recover for their injuries. By filing a claim against a manufacturer, you may not only recover compensation for your injuries, but you may also protect other consumers from potential harm as well.
At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, our attorneys are dedicated to helping clients who have been harmed by the actions of others, including through dangerous products. We have recovered more than $2 billion dollars on behalf of our clients. We offer free initial consultations, and we never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Contact us today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to schedule an appointment and learn how we can help you.
