Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced additional products to their ever-growing list of recalled hand sanitizers. According to a recent new report, the FDA explained that the majority of the recalled products lacked enough alcohol to adequately kills germs, or the products contained potentially deadly levels of wood alcohol. This information is particularly harrowing as there has been a record number of hand sanitizer sales in Florida because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These defective products can cause serious harm because of their ineffectiveness or exposure to potentially deadly ingredients.
As COVID-19 began to wreak havoc throughout the world, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advised the public to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and frequently wash hands. These measures should help reduce the number of germs that a person carries and transmits. In many cases, individuals use hand sanitizer at higher rates because it is a convenient option. This increased use only heightens the likelihood that individuals may experience the dangers of using these products.
The majority of effective hand sanitizers are comprised of ethyl alcohol; however, the recalled products contain methanol. Methanol is a type of wood alcohol that is regularly used to create pesticides, solvents, and fuel. This alcohol is typically toxic to humans and can be poisonous if consumed. Some products state that their hand sanitizers contain methanol; however, many others are mis-marked as containing ethyl alcohol. This mistake further complicates the recall as many consumers may not know if their product contains the dangerous ingredient.
Individuals who suffer adverse symptoms from using a defective hand sanitizer should seek medical attention and report the issue to the FDA’s reporting program. Additionally, those that have used a hand sanitizer on the recalled list may be able to file a lawsuit under Florida’s product liability laws. The law allows injury victims to file a lawsuit to recover damages from those entities that produce, distribute, or sell the defective product. Consumers must understand that a recall does not absolve these entities from liability. In these cases, a court will determine whether the recall was appropriate by examining the measures the company took to effectuate the recall. Injury victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, ongoing medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and support, and funeral and burial costs.
Have You Suffered Injuries Because of a Defective Product?
If you or someone you love has been injured or made ill after using a defective product, contact the personal injury attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada. The Florida product liability attorneys at our law firm handle all types of claims stemming from injuries related to car and truck accidents, defective products, incidents of medical malpractice and nursing home abuse, and more. We have a history of successfully representing clients and recovering significant amounts of compensation on their behalf. Our attorneys provide clients with the individualized attention they deserve, focusing on developing a strategic approach right out of the gate. Contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney at our law firm.