Cosmetics companies are almost always dealing with lawsuits for different reasons.
L’Oreal is one of the latest brands to have made headlines when a class action lawsuit was filed against them. According to the lawsuit, the company was engaged in false and deceptive advertising. Like L’Oreal, several other cosmetic brands have had to deal with similar lawsuits. However, there are many brands that have to deal with such claims and legal actions for more than just false ads.
Cosmetic products often impact their users’ health negatively, which is a good enough reason for them to sue cosmetic companies. You, too, might have been a victim of this and would like to take legal action against said companies. However, before you do so, here are a few tips you should keep in mind.
#1 See a Doctor
If you suspect that a cosmetic product has affected your health, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Your physician can examine the affected area and determine if there is any physical discomfort or pain. If the doctor thinks that you have been affected, he or she may recommend some over-the-counter medications for temporary relief.
Affected individuals will likely need to use these remedies for longer than expected. This is because cosmetics companies are not legally obligated to disclose all of their ingredients. Once they do decide to include them on labels, they are often very difficult to understand and decipher without professional help.
#2 Contact the Company
When you have a complaint about a product, it’s crucial to contact the company directly. You can do this by calling their customer service line. If you prefer writing, send a letter (preferably certified mail) explaining your concerns and what would satisfy you. Be sure to include all relevant information, like your name and address, so they know who is making the complaint.
If that doesn’t work, try contacting the company CEO directly. There’s no harm in doing so since it’s perfectly within your rights to do so.
If none of these actions leads to satisfactory responses from the company, contact your state Attorney General’s office with details about what happened.
#3 Keep Proof of Everything
If you are considering taking legal action against a cosmetics company, you must keep as much documentation as possible. You should keep copies of all receipts related to the products that caused your health problems. Additionally, you should take screenshots of any correspondence with the company and save them in a file on your computer or phone.
Keep any paperwork related to the incident, including medical records and photos of the product or its packaging, before throwing it away. It is also helpful for you to take pictures of the product and its packaging if you have not already done so. You may need these later on when submitting a lawsuit against them.
#4 Talk to a Lawyer
If you’re considering taking legal action against a cosmetics company, it’s important to consult with an attorney. A lawyer can help you understand your options and assess the strength of your case, which may be stronger than you realize.
A lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine whether or not you have a strong enough case to go forward with legal action. If so, the lawyer will file suit on your behalf after reviewing the facts of your situation, including any medical records or other evidence that supports your claim and shows how the product caused harm. In addition to filing lawsuits on behalf of their clients, some attorneys also handle negotiations with companies who want to settle out of court before going through with litigation proceedings.
In the AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit, lawyers took the bold decision of gathering statements from multiple witnesses and victims. All of these are people affected by the toxic chemicals AFFF manufacturers used in their products. The Firefighter Foam attorneys also gathered medical information. All this information helped them build a case against fire extinguisher manufacturers based on the fact that their products led to many victims developing cancer.
In the case of cosmetics, lawyers will take a similar approach. Since cosmetic products are mostly FMCGs, they are widely used. Thus, it’s possible to find more victims if your lawyers think it’s necessary to solidify the case.
#5 Don’t Take an Early Offer
It’s tempting to settle for an early offer, but you shouldn’t do so. If a settlement is reached before the case goes to trial, it could mean that you won’t be able to take your case all the way through if new information arises.
Also, if there are multiple parties involved in your case (like when more than one company makes a product), it can be difficult to know how much each company will offer. The amount of money each party has available for settlement also impacts negotiations. Therefore, don’t feel pressured into accepting a lower amount just because one party has less money than another.
If you do accept an initial settlement and later discover new evidence that contradicts what was previously agreed upon, your attorney may have grounds for appeal or reopening negotiations based on this new information.
#6 Be Prepared for Trial
It is vital to understand that taking legal action is a long and costly process. Don’t be afraid of losing. If you do, your lawyer will likely have spent less time with you than if they had settled for an early offer. Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. There are no shortcuts on the road to justice.
The nutricosmetics market is set to reach a market value of over $13 billion by 2030. As this market sees a global increase in its value, it’s also conscious about a more aware consumer base. Users are now capable of understanding the impact the ingredients in various cosmetic products can have on them and their health. As a result, if anything goes wrong, they will seek to take legal action.
Thus, it’s always a good idea to know what you’re doing, especially when taking cosmetic companies to court. After all, these are all powerful people who are leading these businesses. Therefore, you must understand the gravity of the situation and take appropriate measures.
