DermaRite Products Recalled Due to Infection Risk: Victims and Families May Be Entitled to Compensation

DermaRite Industries, LLC (DermaRite) has announced a voluntary recall of several of the company’s products, including creams, soaps, hand sanitizers, skin protectants, and deodorant. According to DermaRite, the recalled products may be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex (B. cepacia), a bacterium that can potentially cause life-threatening infections.  

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a life-threatening infection or sepsis after using one of DermaRite’s recalled products, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our lawyers can assess your legal rights in a free and confidential consultation, and if you have a claim against DermaRite, we can seek just compensation on your behalf at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Products Covered By the DermaRite Recall

DermaRite has issued two recall notices due to the contamination concerns discussed above—the first on August 8 and the second on August 27. Together, the products covered under these recalls include:

• 4-N-1 no-rinse wash cream for chafed or cracked skin
• DermaCerin skin-protecting moisturizing cream
• DermaFungal antifungal cream for athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm
• DermaKleen antiseptic lotion soap with vitamin E
• DermaMed skin protectant
• DermaSerra external analgesic for itch relief
• Gel Rite instant gel hand sanitizer with vitamin E
• Hand E Foam foaming hand sanitizer with vitamin E
• KleenFoam antimicrobial foam soap with aloe vera
• Lantiseptic skin protectant
• PeriGiene antiseptic cleanser
• PeriGuard skin protectant
• Renew Dimethicone skin protectant for diaper rash
• Renew Periprotect skin protectant for diaper rash
• Renew Skin Repair skin cream for chapped or cracked skin
• UltraSure anti-perspirant and deodorant

The recalls cover the specific lot numbers and packaging descriptions listed on the August 8 and August 27 recall notices sold throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. According to DermaRite, individuals who have any of these products in their homes should destroy them, and they should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they experience any symptoms that may be related to a Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) infection.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “[s]ymptoms vary, ranging from no symptoms to serious respiratory infections, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung disease.” Other symptoms may include:

• Coughing
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

Since these can be symptomatic of a variety of other health conditions as well, it is important to specifically mention your concerns about a B. cepacia infection linked to a DermaRite product. If you or a loved one receives a B. cepacia diagnosis, follow your doctor’s advice and monitor for any additional symptoms. An increased heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, or chills could be signs of sepsis, which could be a medical emergency.

Importantly, elderly individuals and those who are immunocompromised may be at increased risk of suffering serious or fatal complications due to a B. cepacia infection. As a result, for these individuals and their families, it will be especially important to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention at the first sign of a potential concern.

Do You Have a Claim Related to the DermaRite Recall?

Companies like DermaRite have a legal obligation to ensure that their products are safe for use as intended. As a result, when they sell contaminated products that present life-threatening risks, they can be held accountable under the law.

Holding companies like DermaRite accountable involves hiring a lawyer to help you seek just compensation for the financial and non-financial costs of your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis. This includes compensation for your:

• Medical Bills – Including past, present, and future treatment costs for a B. cepacia infection, sepsis, and any other complications resulting from your (or your loved one’s) use of the dangerous product.
• Other Out-of-Pocket Costs – Including prescription medications, medical supplies, and funeral and burial expenses in cases of wrongful death.
• Loss of Earnings – Including loss of your (or your loved one’s) income and benefits resulting from a B. cepacia infection, sepsis, or other complications.
• Pain, Suffering and Emotional Trauma – This is additional compensation (on top of your treatment expenses and other out-of-pocket costs) for living with the consequences of a life-altering or life-threatening infection.
• Loss of Companionship, Consortium and Enjoyment of Life – This is additional compensation for the impacts of your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis on relationships with friends and family members, as well as other impacts on your (or their) quality of life.

A lawyer at Searcy Denney can determine if you are eligible to file a claim against DermaRite—and, if you are, your lawyer can provide an estimate of how much you may be able to recover. Then, you can decide if you want to move forward. As we mentioned earlier, hiring a lawyer in this scenario incurs no out-of-pocket costs.

What to Expect if You Move Forward

If you decide that you want to move forward, our team will work diligently to recover the financial compensation you deserve. We are expecting a significant number of claims against DermaRite, and these claims may eventually be consolidated into a national mass tort proceeding. If this happens, our team will continue to represent you directly—either in the national mass tort proceeding or separately, depending on what is in your best interests.

In any case, we will continue to help you make informed decisions throughout the process, and we will be more than happy to answer all of your questions every step of the way. We understand that you never expected to be in this situation, and we are committed to doing everything possible to help you recover.

Do You Have a Claim for Compensation Against DermaRite? Find Out for Free

Would you like to know more about filing a claim for compensation against DermaRite? If so, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To speak with an experienced lawyer at Searcy Denney about your legal rights in confidence, give us a call at 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can contact you online today.