A class-action lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Inc., and Kimberly-Clark Canada Inc. has been officially certified by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, following the company’s recall of its Cottonelle Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle Gentle Plus Flushable Wipes. The class action is led by Vancouver-based law firm Slater Vecchio LLP, which announced the development in a public notice on February 21, 2025. This legal action gives eligible Canadians the opportunity to submit their information and potentially receive compensation if the lawsuit results in a settlement.
The class action stems from a nationwide recall of these wipes initiated in October 2020 after Health Canada identified the risk of contamination with a microorganism known as Pluralibacter gergoviae. This bacterium posed a particular threat to individuals with weakened immune systems, those with serious pre-existing conditions, and people recovering from surgery. Health authorities advised consumers to immediately stop using the affected wipes, as they could cause serious infections.
In a formal statement, Slater Vecchio LLP explained that the class action was officially certified in August 2023 under the Class Proceedings Act. As part of this certification, the law firm began a public notice program to inform Canadians who may have been affected by the recall. The class-action suit targets consumers who either purchased or used the contaminated wipes and suffered harm as a result.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit state that Kimberly-Clark failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks posed by the contaminated wipes. According to the amended notice of civil claim filed in August 2022, the company is accused of selling products that were “unfit for purpose and worthless” by falsely claiming that the wipes were safe for use. The suit alleges that Kimberly-Clark’s actions exposed consumers to a harmful bacterium, which led to serious health issues such as skin infections, bodily injury, psychological harm, and other losses. The lawsuit seeks to hold the company accountable and recover damages for affected Canadians.
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The case involves two primary groups of eligible claimants: those who suffered personal injury from using the affected products and those who purchased the recalled wipes for personal, family, or household purposes. The second subclass consists of individuals who purchased the wipes for commercial or other non-personal uses.
If you believe you are eligible for a claim, you can submit an online form to participate in the class action. However, if you do not wish to be part of the lawsuit, an opt-out form must be completed and submitted by May 21, 2025.
While the lawsuit is ongoing, Kimberly-Clark has denied the allegations, and the claims have yet to be proven in court. At this stage, the exact amount of damages sought by the class action has not been specified, but if the lawsuit is successful, eligible claimants could be entitled to financial compensation.
For Canadians affected by the recall, this class action provides a legal avenue to seek justice and potentially recover losses linked to the contaminated wipes. Those who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to submit their information and join the class action before the deadline.
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