A Maryland woman has initiated a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Duchess Meghan Markle after allegedly sustaining severe burns from a homemade bath salt recipe recommended on her Netflix show, "With Love, Meghan."
According to the US Sun, A royal fan's attempt to enjoy a home remedy has led to a threatened lawsuit, emotional distress, and a contested debate over responsibility.
In the inaugural episode of "With Love, Meghan," Meghan Markle shared several personal wellness tips, including a recipe for bath salts. The concoction consisted of Epsom salts, Himalayan salt, arnica oil, and lavender oil, ingredients commonly used for relaxation and stress relief.
Robin Patrick, a self-proclaimed royal fanatic from Maryland, decided to try the recipe. Diabetic and vulnerable to skin complications, Patrick used the salts hoping for a soothing experience. Instead, she encountered an unexpected reaction that, according to her, led to catastrophic burns.
Medical experts advise that individuals with diabetes, like Patrick, have heightened sensitivity to skin products. Epsom salts, for example, can dry out the skin excessively, increasing the risk of cracking and infections.
Following her ordeal, Patrick is seeking legal redress to the tune of $10 million for damages, alongside additional compensatory claims totaling $75,000. The lawsuit targets Netflix, Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), Archewell Productions, and Meghan Markle herself, alleging failure to predict possible harmful effects of the bath salt recipe on users with specific health concerns.
IPC's lawyer, Cameron Stracher, responded to the allegations by emphasizing the absence of any special legal relationship that mandates a duty of care towards Patrick. Stracher further argued that the recipe presented no inherent danger to the public and that the unfortunate incident was neither foreseeable nor a typical reaction.
Robin detailed her painful experience, noting a burning sensation that initially manifested while soaking in the tub, followed by worsening symptoms during a subsequent shower. She reported intense discomfort and the development of ulcers on her skin.
Despite IPC's position regarding the nature of the recipe, the issue raises important questions about the responsibility of public figures and producers in ensuring the safety of the products they promote. Stracher admitted sorrow over the injuries sustained by Patrick but maintained a legal stance that diluted the claim of negligence.
"There was nothing 'inherently dangerous' about Meghan's recipe, and therefore it did not constitute a 'clear and present danger to the public'," Stracher stated, attempting to deflect the brunt of the legal challenge.
On the other hand, Patrick's lawsuit accuses the Duchess and her production partners of negligence for not adequately foreseeing the potential misuse of the recipe or the specific risks posed to individuals with pre-existing health conditions like diabetes.
Since the incident, Patrick has suffered from continuous skin problems and distress. "Since the incident, I have endured persistent burning, discomfort, and the emergence of new blister-like sores and ulcers daily," she shared in a distressing account of her physical and emotional turmoil post-exposure to the bath salts.
This ordeal has not only resulted in physical pain but also emotional and psychological distress, culminating in symptoms indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her experience highlights the potentially profound impact of seemingly benign home health recipes when not adequately tailored or warned for all users.
The debate over this incident continues as legal proceedings loom, potentially setting precedents for how wellness advice is disseminated by celebrities and the media. As the legal battle unfolds, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with substantial implications for celebrity-endorsed health practices.
