Target Acne Products Benzene Lawsuit
Paul LLP Trial Attorneys has filed a class action suit against Target following the discovery of benzene in its Up & Up acne treatments and other popular skincare items. A Connecticut lab reportedly found high chemical levels of a known carcinogen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-term exposure to benzene can cause cancer.
Paul LLP Trial Attorneys was among the first firms to file the earliest cases for which plaintiffs seek to consolidate in multi-district litigation. Our team of aggressive litigation lawyers has been involved from the beginning. We understand the nature of the claims and the potential harmful effects of benzene exposure, and we want to help you get started with your case.
The Benzene Lawsuits
In the federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Minnesota, the plaintiff alleged that Up & Up benzoyl peroxide acne products (“BPO products”) were found to decompose into unsafe levels of benzene if the products were stored at high temperatures. Valisure, an independent laboratory, tested several over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products under conditions as high as 70 degrees Celsius, and a study was conducted to replicate storage in a hot vehicle. The products produced high levels of benzene when subjected to this heat level. Valisure reported that benzene was found in Target’s Up & Up 2.5% BPO Cream, among other benzoyl peroxide creams on the market.
Although the Minnesota case was filed as a class action, a multi-district litigation case is expected. Another plaintiff, a California resident, stated that they checked the Up & Up label and would not have purchased the product had a warning been present. Specifically, Plaintiff Grace Navarro claims in the lawsuit, filed March 7, 2024, in California federal court, that the Target benzoyl peroxide products contain benzene and are at risk of further degrading into benzene under regular use and storage conditions.
Research also shows that benzene was released into the air even when the packaging was closed, thus raising concerns for the possibility of even more inhalation exposures, “a particularly pernicious form of exposure to benzene,” the class action lawsuit says. Ms. Navarro claims Target should have known about the benzoyl peroxide benzene content and the possibility of exposing consumers to the carcinogen, including under regular use, handling, and storage conditions. She alleges Target misled consumers about the safety of its Up & Up benzoyl peroxide products by representing them as safe despite failing to inform them about the presence of benzene.
The Laboratory Findings
Valisure filed a petition with the U.S Food and Drug Administration, calling on the department to recall the products in which they detected benzene. In addition to Target’s Up & Up product, high levels of benzene were also found in other acne treatments from Clinique and Clearasil. Although benzene has previously been discovered in other consumer products, including hand sanitizer, dry shampoo, and sunscreen, the discovery of benzene in products for acne treatment was described as “substantially different” by Valisure. “The benzene we found in sunscreens and other consumer products were impurities that came from contaminated ingredients; however, the benzene in benzoyl peroxide products is coming from the benzoyl peroxide itself,” said Valisure Co-Founder and President David Light.
What Is Benzene?
Benzene is classified as a “group one carcinogen,” similar to asbestos and lead. Consistent exposure to even low levels of benzene has been directly linked to cancer in humans. The American Cancer Society reports that benzene exposure can cause acute myeloid leukemia. It has also been linked to acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Benzene also causes problems in the blood. If you breathe benzene for long periods, you can experience harmful effects in the tissues that form blood cells, especially bone marrow. Such effects can disrupt average blood production and can lead to anemia or excessive bleeding. Further, excessive exposure to benzene can be harmful to the immune system. A compromised immune system can increase your chances of infection and lower your body’s ability to defend itself against cancer.
What Is the Difference between Class Action and Multi-District Litigation?
Multi-district litigation, or “MDL” cases, differ from class action lawsuits. The plaintiffs are treated as a single entity in a class action lawsuit. In MDL, each plaintiff’s case is handled separately. As such, plaintiffs may have different outcomes based on the unique factual circumstances of their case. This difference may be critical to your potential recovery because you could receive a personal resolution tailored to the facts and circumstances of your case instead of being bound by a single verdict or settlement for an entire class of plaintiffs.
How Can an Attorney Help You If You Have Been Injured by a Target Up & Up Product?
If you are suffering from a medical condition related to benzene exposure from a Target benzoyl peroxide acne product, we can help. Our team of lawyers is well-equipped to evaluate your case and determine whether you are eligible to pursue compensation for your losses.
At Paul LLP Trial Attorneys, you can expect solid legal advocacy with a personalized touch. We are nationally recognized lawyers making an industry-wide change. We will thoroughly examine the factual and legal bases for your claim. Our unwavering attention to detail allows us to handle even the most complex litigation. We are well-equipped to handle your case because we have been involved in the Target Benzene lawsuits from the start. We understand the products, their effects, and the potential avenues for recovering the compensation you need.
Call Paul LLP Trial Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one is suffering from the harmful effects of benzene exposure from Target’s Up & Up products or have been diagnosed with cancer due to its use, contact Paul LLP Trial Attorneys today. We will review your case to determine whether you can join the class. We understand that the legal process may feel intimidating, especially when it involves a class action or multi-district litigation. Rest assured; you are in good hands. Contact Paul LLP Trial Attorneys online or at (816) 984-8100 to get started with your case.
