CAPE CORAL
- A woman has sued Procter & Gamble, claiming that Clairol Natural
Instincts hair dye caused hair loss, back pain and a litany of other ailments.
Katherine Keith alleges she was injured after she used the chestnut shade of
dye in June 2002. She filed suit Nov. 15 in circuit court, but the suit has been
moved to federal court.
The lawsuit claims Procter & Gamble negligently produced the dye, failed to
test it properly and failed to make sure it was free of defects.
Keith says she has experienced decreased nerve sensitivity, eye inflammation,
motor and sensory changes, depression and "post traumatic anxiety."
In the company's response the lawsuit, Procter attorney Marjorie Hensel noted
that the company's hair dyes carry warnings urging consumers to test them before
applying them.
Douglas D. Mohney, Keith's attorney, said his client tested the dye and
didn't have any adverse effects.
"There's no warning you're going to have the kind of reaction Miss Keith
had," he said. "When she applied the product to her head, that's when she
experienced the symptoms."
Procter & Gamble's response says the problems Keith suffered were the result
of an allergy and the company should bear no responsibility under "the doctrine
of no liability for any idiosyncratic or allergic reaction."
"Our products are safe," said Clairol spokeswoman Francine Gingris. "They are
the most thoroughly tested products on the market today."
Katherine Keith says the dye has caused decreased nerve sensitivity, eye
inflammation, motor and sensory changes, depression and "post traumatic
anxiety."
