Seattle firm files second lawsuit over Pampers Dry Max
SEATTLE -- For the second time in as many days, Seattle law firm Keller Rohrback has filed complaint documents against Proctor and Gamble over its new Pampers Dry Max product.
The new product, launched this spring, is promoted as thinner, more comfortable and more absorbent. But Dry Max is also the subject of complaints from parents who say the new product is responsible for severe rashes, blisters and in some cases chemical burns.
Amid the complaints, there are still thousands of babies and toddlers who show no adverse reaction to the new Pampers product. Proctor and Gamble says since Dry Max was introduced in March, the company has received fewer than two complaints about rashes for every million Pampers sold. P&G is emphatic that the product has been extensively tested on tens of thousands of children, and is safe.
Complaints on Facebook have surpassed the 7,000 mark. And Keller Rohrback says its office is being flooded with calls and emails from outraged parents from across the country. Managing partner Lynn Sarko says many of the calls and e-mails are coming from parents who thought they were the only ones having a problem until they saw media reports and learned the Consumer Product Safety Commission had begun an investigation.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of parents who suddenly are waking up and saying- something isn't right here," said Sarko.
On the heels of its first class-action lawsuit announced late Wednesday, Keller Rohrback's second lawsuit alleges negligence -- defective design and manufacturing, and failure to warn consumers of the risk for severe adverse reaction.
Both class-action complaints were filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Ohio. Sarko and co-counsel Gretchen Cappio say the first suit represents plaintiffs in Washington, California, Michigan, and Connecticut. The second suit names plaintiffs in Oregon, Missouri and Iowa.
Sarko says additional lawsuits are planned to comply with legal requirements in the different states where credible complaints are being generated.
P&G says sales of the new Pampers are above its expectations. The company continues to stand behind the integrity of the new product from what it calls false and misleading information.
The new product, launched this spring, is promoted as thinner, more comfortable and more absorbent. But Dry Max is also the subject of complaints from parents who say the new product is responsible for severe rashes, blisters and in some cases chemical burns.
Amid the complaints, there are still thousands of babies and toddlers who show no adverse reaction to the new Pampers product. Proctor and Gamble says since Dry Max was introduced in March, the company has received fewer than two complaints about rashes for every million Pampers sold. P&G is emphatic that the product has been extensively tested on tens of thousands of children, and is safe.
Complaints on Facebook have surpassed the 7,000 mark. And Keller Rohrback says its office is being flooded with calls and emails from outraged parents from across the country. Managing partner Lynn Sarko says many of the calls and e-mails are coming from parents who thought they were the only ones having a problem until they saw media reports and learned the Consumer Product Safety Commission had begun an investigation.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of parents who suddenly are waking up and saying- something isn't right here," said Sarko.
On the heels of its first class-action lawsuit announced late Wednesday, Keller Rohrback's second lawsuit alleges negligence -- defective design and manufacturing, and failure to warn consumers of the risk for severe adverse reaction.
Both class-action complaints were filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Ohio. Sarko and co-counsel Gretchen Cappio say the first suit represents plaintiffs in Washington, California, Michigan, and Connecticut. The second suit names plaintiffs in Oregon, Missouri and Iowa.
Sarko says additional lawsuits are planned to comply with legal requirements in the different states where credible complaints are being generated.
P&G says sales of the new Pampers are above its expectations. The company continues to stand behind the integrity of the new product from what it calls false and misleading information.