New York Track Star Dies from Overuse of Sports Cream
A New York medical examiner has determined that a 17-year-old track star died after overusing sports cream. Arielle Newman, a cross-country runner at Staten Island’s Notre Dame Academy, died after her body absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, a compound found in many anti-inflammatory creams, such as Bengay and Icy Hot.
A medical examiner’s spokeswoman said it was the first case of death from using a sports cream the office had encountered. She said Newman was spreading the muscle cream on her legs between competitions, applying adhesive pads containing the anti-inflammatory, and using an unspecified third product containing the chemical.
A spokesman for Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Bengay, expressed sympathy over the death, but reminded consumers about “the importance of reading the label on this and all over-the-counter medicines to ensure safe and proper use.” According to the Associated Press, the label on Ultra Strength Bengay says the product should be applied no more than three or four times daily and consumers should stop and see a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than a week.
Can we expect a personal injury lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson?