A California citizen has filed a lawsuit against a safety equipment company, accusing it of failing to warn consumers about toxic chemicals in its products. Gabriel Espinoza filed the complaint on September 26, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against Major Gloves & Safety, Inc.
The case centers around allegations that Major Gloves & Safety sold yellow general-purpose leather gloves containing chromium (VI), a chemical known to cause cancer and reproductive harm according to California's Proposition 65. This regulation mandates businesses to provide clear warnings before exposing individuals to such chemicals. Espinoza claims that the company violated this law by not labeling their products with the necessary warnings. "No person in the course of doing business shall knowingly and intentionally expose any individual to a chemical known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without first giving clear and reasonable warning," states Health & Safety Code § 25249.6.
Espinoza asserts that these gloves have been sold without appropriate warnings since at least October 27, 2023. The complaint alleges that consumers are exposed to chromium (VI) through skin contact when using the gloves as intended. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties up to $912,000 per violation and demands injunctive relief requiring the defendant to provide proper warnings on their products.
In his pursuit of justice for Californians potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals without their knowledge, Espinoza also requests reasonable attorney’s fees and costs amounting to $50,000. He argues that such actions are necessary "to promote awareness of exposures to toxic chemicals in products sold in California and improve human health by reducing hazardous substances contained in such items."
The legal representation for Gabriel Espinoza is provided by Evan J. Smith and Ryan P. Cardona from Brodsky Smith law firm based in Beverly Hills, CA. The case is presided over by judges at the Superior Court of California under Case No.: CGC-24-61846.