Abraham Jewett  |  November 10, 2022

Category: Cancer

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Neutrogena sunscreen cancer lawsuit overview: 

  • Who: Kathy McCathie filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. 
  • Why: McCathie claims Johnson & Johnson manufactured and sold Neutrogena sunscreen that caused her to develop cancer because the product is contaminated with benzene, a known human carcinogen. 
  • Where: The lawsuit was filed in Georgia state court. 

Johnson & Johnson manufactured and sold Neutrogena sunscreen contaminated with unsafe levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene, causing a woman in Georgia to develop cancer, a new lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Kathy McCathie claims she developed cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, after using Neutrogena sunscreen products that she says she didn’t know were contaminated with benzene

McCathie argues she was “unable to reasonably limit her exposure” to benzene since the presence of the “dangerous chemical” in the Neutrogena products was not disclosed to her. 

“Defendants had the duty to ensure their products’ safety, and in turn owed Plaintiff a duty not to cause an unreasonable risk of injury,” the Neutrogena sunscreen cancer lawsuit states. 

Johnson & Johnson recalls Neutrogena sunscreen products over benzene contamination

Johnson & Johnson issued a recall in July 2021 for a number of its Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreen products after testing by Valisure, an independent analytical pharmacy, determined they contained unsafe levels of benzene, according to the Neutrogena sunscreen cancer lawsuit. 

Instead of disclosing the benzene contamination, Johnson & Johnson allegedly “provided consumers with false and misleading information about their products’ safety and efficacy despite their knowledge of the dangers,” the lawsuit states.

McCathie claims Johnson & Johnson marketed the Neutrogena sunscreen product as a way to protect against melanoma, calling this a “negative propaganda campaign” that actually “created a greater risk of cancer among the products’ users.” 

She accuses Neutrogena of negligence and misrepresentation, among other things, demands a jury trial and requests an award of compensatory and punitive damages. 

In related news, a pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Neutrogena in December, arguing the company sold skin firming cream containing the cancer-causing chemical benzophenone

Have you been diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to benzene? Let us know in the comments. 

The plaintiff is represented by Mark A. Tate of Tate Law Group LLC. 

The Neutrogena sunscreen cancer lawsuit is McCathie v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., Case No. STCV22-01911, in the State Court of Chatham County, State of Georgia. 


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16 thoughts onWoman claims Neutrogena sunscreen caused her skin cancer

  1. Denia Elizarraras says:

    Please add me to this class action lawsuit. I’ve been an Amazon Prime member for years and agree to the comments.

  2. Denia Elizarraras says:

    I got basal cell carcinoma (malignant) on the right side of my nose, which required surgery; however, it is not completely gone, and I have another lesion on the left side of my nose that has been developing. I have been using J&J Neutrogena sunscreen with benzene for years.

  3. Vadie lynch says:

    I was diagnosed 3 times with BCC and have had multiple surgeries for removal. My first was in my late 20’s and into my 30’s. I’ve always used neutragena and aveeno because they are suppose to be the best for your skin. I would like to find out if these may have been the cause of my skin cancer

  4. Diane Whitaker says:

    Please add me to this class action suit

  5. Mardi Lilly says:

    Add me

  6. Miriam Brooks says:

    Prior to being diagnosed with multiple (between 12-17 lesions) I used Johnson and Johnson, Neutrogena sunscreens. I had monthly visits to the dermatologist and oncologist. I was treated for 6 months with Erivedge oral immunotherapy, which made me very sick! It has become apparent that some of the lesions have returned. I have limited income as I am a retired 70 year old female.

  7. Maureen Oliver says:

    I have diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to benzene

  8. Heather says:

    Add me

  9. Patricia MacLean says:

    I got basal cell cancel on my nose. I have been using J&J Neutrogena sunscreen with benzene for years ! I contracted basal cell cancer on my nose during that period.

  10. Connie Gilness says:

    I used Neutrogena for years . I’ve had skin cancer twice, and have had surgery twice for basal cell carcinoma.

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