Neutrogena and Aveeno Sunscreens
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzene
January 2017: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement. (Leiner et al v. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Case No. 15-cv-5876, N. D. IL.)
August 2016: After an amended complaint was filed in the Leiner case, a settlement (which will resolve the Leiner, Real, Hidalgo, and Gallagher actions) was preliminarily approved. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive $3 for each product purchased. Class members without proof of purchase may recover for up to five products while class members with proof of purchase may recover for up to ten products purchased. In addition, Johnson and Johnson agreed to continue including language referencing a baby’s routine (e.g., “routine helps baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer”) near any clinically proven language. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for January 18, 2017.
July 2015: Four class-action lawsuits were filed against Johnson & Johnson for allegedly falsely marketing its bedtime products. The complaints allege that the company deceptively markets Johnson’s® Bedtime® Bath and Johnson’s® Bedtime® Lotion as “clinically proven” to help a baby sleep better without having any studies to support such claims. To read the complaint in each case, click on the case information below.
For more information about other class-action lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson and TINA.org’s coverage of the company, click here.
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as plant based
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as 100% plant-based when they contain synthetic, non-plant ingredients
Allegations: Failing to warn consumers that regularly using the product causes the proliferation of certain cancer-causing bacteria
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that products are made with safe and high-quality ingredients, and the company is committed to the health of consumers, communities, and the planet
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as safe and healthy when they contain harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as safe, healthy, made with the “best ingredients,” environmentally friendly, and committed to the health of consumers, communities and the planet
Allegations: Misleadingly representing that products were safe when they contained, or were at risk of containing, the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain high levels of the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as “Preservative-Free”
Allegations: Falsely marketing that phenylephrine products treat congestion and other cold and flu symptoms
Allegations: Falsely marketing that phenylephrine products treat congestion and other cold and flu symptoms
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion and other sinus issues
Allegations: Falsely marketing that phenylephrine products treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that phenylephrine products treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines are decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing the products treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely advertising sunscreens as waterproof
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing medicines as decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that products treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing medicines as nasal decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure
Allegations: Falsely marketing medicines as nasal decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing that phenylephrine products treat congestion and other cold and flu symptoms
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines relieve nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing medicines as decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing medicines as decongestants
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat nasal decongestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat sinus pressure and nasal congestion
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat congestion and other sinus issues
Allegations: Falsely marketing that medicines treat nasal decongestion
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as specially made for babies when they contain the same formulation as the adult versions
Allegations: Falsely advertising that products provide faster relief than other acetaminophen products
Allegations: Misleadingly labeling products as containing no trans fats and being safe for human consumption when the spreads contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are trans fats that increase the risk…
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: Products contain more melatonin than advertised
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing medicines as “non-drowsy” when an ingredient in them causes drowsiness
Allegations: Marketing products as safe without disclosing that they contain a harmful heavy metal
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzophenone
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that products “help[] ease occasional gas & stomach discomfort” associated with colic and hiccups in newborns when none of the ingredients have been shown to provide the…
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that Tylenol rapid release products work faster than other products when they don’t
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzophenone
Allegations: Falsely representing that products smooth, nourish, soften, repair and revive hair without disclosing that ingredients in the products cause significant hair loss and irritate the scalp
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products will smooth, nourish, soften, repair and revive hair without disclosing that they contain an ingredient – DMDM hydantoin – that causes hair loss and scalp irritation
Allegations: Misleadingly advertising that supplements prevent, treat, cure and mitigate lactose intolerance without FDA approval to make such claims
Allegations: Failing to disclose sunscreens contain the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose that powders contain a dangerous ingredient
Allegations: Failing to disclose sunscreens contain the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: False natural claims
Allegations: Failing to disclose sunscreens contain the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: Falsely marketing the products are safe and “free of asbestos”
Allegations: False natural and chemical-free claims
In December 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. for allegedly falsely advertising Neutrogena skincare products – including Hydro Boost Cleansing Gel and Oil Free…
In 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. for allegedly falsely advertising Neutrogena Oil-Free Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin as being “Oil-Free” when, according to…
August 2020: This case was transferred from a court in California to one in New Jersey. (Case No. 20-cv-10406, D.N.J.) July 2020: The case was transferred from state court to…
June 2020: A federal court judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement. December 2019: A federal judge preliminarily approved the settlement agreement. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for…
December 2017: The remaining claims in this case were voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which were not disclosed. October…
November 2017: This consolidated action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. October 2017: This…
January 2018: Both appeals were voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which were not disclosed. November 2017: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement. Later in November, two objectors…
June 2018: The case was voluntarily dismissed because the parties reached a settlement agreement, the terms of which were not disclosed. June 2017: Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint bringing similar…
July 2019: This case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. because the parties reached a settlement agreement, the terms of which have…
July 2019: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement. May 2019: Plaintiffs moved for final approval of a proposed settlement agreement that would provide class members with…
In November 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Johnson & Johnson for allegedly falsely advertising the Neutrogena® Light Therapy Acne Mask and Mask Activator (an acne treatment where a…
June 2017: This case was administratively closed because the parties reached a settlement agreement and asked for 30 days to memorialize the agreement in writing. The terms of the agreement…
July 2015: The Smith action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. December 2014: This…
In May 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Johnson & Johnson and McNeil Nutritionals for allegedly falsely labeling Benecol Regular and Light Spreads as containing “No Trans Fats” and…
June 2015: The parties withdrew the appeal, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. December 2014: The named plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the November 2014 order.…
December 2016: This action was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. The named plaintiff’s claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot…
October 2013: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed.…
September 2014: Plaintiffs withdrew their motion to transfer and consolidate related lawsuits. June 2014: Plaintiffs moved to transfer (i. e. move a case to another court) and consolidate (i. e.…
June 2014: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. January 2013: A class-action lawsuit…
April 2013: The case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed. August 2012: A…
August 2013: A federal judge granted final approval of a settlement of this action. According to the settlement terms, each class member may receive up to $10 ($1 for each…
August 2015: A federal judge granted Johnson & Johnson’s and Neutrogena’s motion for summary judgment finding that there are no issues of material fact because the companies provided evidence that:…
September 2013: The named plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this action When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled.. The reasons have not been…
March 2016: The parties agreed to dismiss this action and it was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons for the dismissal have…
April 2015: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled.. The reasons for the dismissal have not been…
October 2015: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons have not been disclosed. March 2015: A class-action lawsuit was…
In July 2015, a false advertising class-action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. after the parties reached a…
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