Why a manufacturer would knowingly sell tainted drugs intended for the use of children is a mystery to many, but luckily the maker of Children's Tylenol will pay the price. In addition, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, which is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, plead guilty to federal criminal charges for intentionally selling tainted bottles of Tylenol. The bottles of Tylenol were recalled in 2010 because it was found that the drug was tainted with metal particles. Thus, the metal particles included nickel, iron, and chromium, which were all used in the manufacturing process at the plant in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Likewise, the drug also contained more than one active ingredient other than was specified on the bottle as well.
Furthermore, prosecutors claim that although the Tylenol makers found out about the metal problem in 2009, yet they continued to manufacture, and sell the product for several months. Finally, consumers complained that "black specks" were found inside the bottles and thus a recall was issued. Although McNeil states that no one was injured due to the contaminated Tylenol, 4-year-old, Joshua Arndt died after one dose of the drug. Arndt's parents sued the company in 2012, but it was later dismissed in December 2014 because Joshua died in November 2009, which was several months after the recall started. Johnson & Johnson and McNeil have agreed to pay $25 million to resolve the case, which came to a plea hearing Tuesday.
If a consumer product has harmed your child, the skilled St. Louis personal injury and product liability case attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth would like to hear from you. Please contact us today for a free consultation.