Johnson & Johnson Subsidiary to Pay for Bad Tylenol

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has agreed to pay $25 million to resolve federal criminal charges that they sold contaminated infant and childrens Tylenol and Motrin.

The company acknowledged that they failed to take corrective action when it was found that bottles of Infants and Childrens Tylenol, and Childrens Motrin were tainted. Specifically, metal particles, including nickel, iron and chromium, were found in the medicine. The particles were introduced during the manufacturing process at the company’s plant in Fort Washington.

Prosecutors alleged that McNeil Consumer Healthcare knew about the problem for nearly a year, but did nothing. The company was reportedly alerted about the particle problem in May 2009 when a consumer complained that their childrens medicine has black specks inside. However, despite finding metal particles during production, McNeil continued manufacturing the product.

It wasn’t until they traced the problem to machinery in their Fort Washington plant that they issued a recall. Fortunately, no one was injured due to the contaminated drugs.

Unsurprisingly, the Fort Washington plant was closed down in 2012. The plant had been linked to several other recalls of nonprescription drugs for adults and children, recalls that led to injuries and illness.

At Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP, we believe that when a company fails to keep consumers safe and puts profits over people, they need to be held accountable for their actions.

If you or someone you love has been injured or fallen ill due to a defective product, you may be entitled to file a product liability claim. A personal injury attorney from our Fort Worth, TX office can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

For a free review of your claim, call (817) 920-9000.