May 26, 2015 — Single-use laundry detergent “pods” continue to cause poisonings and deaths despite changes to the packaging and labels, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Investigators reported seven deaths have been linked to the products, including four last year and one earlier this year. While most involved young children, two deaths involved adults with dementia or mental disabilities.
When Tide Pods and similar products hit the market in 2012, they were sold in clear containers that resembled candy jars with flimsy flip-top lids. The brightly-colored packets were squishy, sweet-smelling, bite-sized, and looked like candy.
The products also contain much more powerful chemicals than traditional laundry detergent, which makes them far more dangerous when eaten or accidentally squirted into the eyes.
Although most products have been re-designed with opaque containers and sturdier lids, about 30 cases of accidental exposure involving children under six years old are still reported every day. This year alone, more than 2,700 incidents have been reported. Last year, over 11,700 exposures were reported — up 30% from the year before.
Proctor & Gamble, the manufacturer of Tide Pods, commands about 80% of the market for single-use laundry packets. They are also facing several lawsuits accusing them of negligence for failing to ensure the safety of the products.
Do I have a Laundry Pod Poisoning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Tide Pod induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know has been injured by a single-use laundry detergent “pod,” you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
