Woman hauls company into court over hair dye

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nov 2004

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."