Kotex Tampons Recalled After Unraveling Inside Women’s Bodies
Kotex Tampons Recalled After Unraveling Inside Women’s Bodies
Some Kotex tampons have been recalled after reports that the feminine care product was unraveling and coming apart inside women’s bodies, sometimes leaving pieces inside their bodies. According to a report in The Washington Post, Kimberly-Clark, which manufacturers personal care products, announced that the regular absorbency U by Kotex Sleek Tampons have been recalled in the United States and Canada because of a “quality-related defect” explaining that some consumers have had to seek medical attention to remove pieces of the tampons left in their bodies.
Potential for Injuries and Infections
The company said some consumers also reported irritation, infections, injuries and abdominal pain among other problems. Kimberly-Clark said the tampons that are being recalled were manufactured from Oct. 7, 2016 to Oct. 16, 2018, and were distributed from Oct. 17, 2016 to Oct. 23, 2018 across the United States and Canada. Consumers are urged not to use these recalled tampons. Anyone who experiences symptoms such as stomach pain and irritation are asked to seek medical help right away. The lot numbers of the recalled tampons are listed on the company’s website.
Tampons that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are usually considered safe to use. Before tampons can be sold, they must go through FDA review whether they are “substantially equivalent to” a legally marketed tampon. In some cases, a condition known as toxic shock syndrome can develop after tampon use.
Toxic shock syndrome could cause shock, kidney failure or even death. The FDA says taking certain precautions such as practicing good hygiene, using tampons only during menstruation and changing them every four to eight hours can help prevent these types of issues. Kimberly-Clark has issued a statement saying it is putting safeguards in place to ensure that these types of quality lapses and product defect don’t occur in the future.
Product Liability Issues
Product manufacturers have a duty and a legal obligation to ensure that the items they put on the market are tested for safety and efficacy. In this case, Kimberly-Clark has acknowledged that their products were defective and that there was a quality control issue. We can only imagine the pain and emotional trauma consumers must have gone through after finding out that pieces of tampons were still lodged inside of their bodies.
If you have been injured as a result of these defective tampons, please understand that you may be able to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of surgery, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. An experienced product defect lawyer will be able to better explain your legal rights and options.
