Risk of bacterial infection prompts tampon recall
New York personal injury attorneys familiar with product liability cases took note recently that certain types of Kotex tampons have been recalled as an “unsafe product” because there may be danger to users from bacteria that may be contained in some of the plastic tubing used for packaging the tampons.
Persons with compromised health and immune system problems — such as HIV positive women — may be at higher risk of a dangerous infection from using those tampons. The recall clearly illustrates the efforts of Kimberly-Clark to mitigate possible repercussions from that product defect.
The bacterium is called Enterobacter sakazakii. It can cause severe health problems and other potentially life-threatening infections. Pelvic inflammatory disease and vaginal infections have been reported by some users of Kotex Natural Balance* Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency.
Around 1,400 cartons of the product have been recalled from a few states where they were distributed. Between October 29, 2011 and November 2, 2011, certain Wal-Mart stores in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska received the tampons. In the states of Utah and Arizona the product was sold at Smith’s stores; none have definitely been determined to have been sold in New York by original distributors.
Kimberly-Clark has notified stores that received the defective products and requested return of the items. The public has been notified by press releases containing details of the problem and what action affected users should take. Instructions request users to stop using the product and to call the Kimberly-Clark Consumer Services Division for information about returns.
Product defects can result in severe damage or death; liability and negligence are issues that product liability attorneys can address for clients that believe they have been harmed by use of a defective product. Even when a manufacturer takes the steps to recall and mitigate damages, often the damage has already been done because the product was already in the stream of commerce.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Kotex Recalls 1,400 Cases Of Tampons Over Possible Bacteria Infection,” Laura Hibbard, Nov. 14, 2011
