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Meghan Markle was threatened with a hefty lawsuit after a fan sustained multiple burns from copying her bath salt recipe from her Netflix show. The Duchess of Sussex released the first part of her Netflix cooking show in March, alongside the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever. The show, With Love, Meghan, saw the duchess prepare a variety of dishes, explore recipes, and share cooking tips while hosting family and friends.
In the first episode of the show, the icon prepared a bath salt mixture containing Epson salt, Humulin salt, arnica oil, and Lavender oil as a welcome gift for pal and makeup artist Daniel Marin. The mixture sparked concerns from skincare experts wary about the high ratio of undiluted essential oils in the recipe, which may cause skin irritation. The lack of specific measurement of the various salts in the recipe also raised questions from viewers looking to try out the tutorial at home.
One fan from Maryland, Robin Patrick, looked past these concerns and prepared her own at-home bath salt as directed in Meghan Markle’s Netflix show tutorial. However, the fan did not exactly get the anticipated refreshing feeling after copying Meghan’s instructions and testing it out in her bathtub. Contrariwise, she sustained intense burns from the mixture, and has since threatened legal action against the 43-year-old, and those involved in the production.
Meghan Markle’s Team Hits Back At Lawsuit Threats
Cameron Stracher, a lawyer representing Meghan Markle, has since hit back at Patrick’s legal claims and lawsuit threats. In the legal letter from the duchess’ party, Cameron rebuked the distressed fan, pointing out that as a diabetic, she should have been aware of the risks of using Epsom Salts. He chastised her for disregarding “the instructions on the Epsom salt packaging” in her attempt to DIY her own bath salts. He added,
“For this separate reason, there can be no negligence claim against anyone involved in the production or distribution of the series.”
Despite the criticism Meghan Markle has garnered over her unconventional homemade bath salts, critics couldn’t help but agree with her legal rep’s defense. Taking to social media, many voiced their thoughts on the subject, suggesting the fan in question had no case against the duchess, but simply sought an opportunity to cash out. One wrote on Reddit,
“Unless she’s a teenager, anyone with even a passing interest in homemade facemasks or bath stuff (basically anything that touches your skin), you know you need to test it for a reaction first. People clearly need to read the warnings on the packet.”
Another wrote,
“As dumb as Meghan’s recipes are, this woman is even dumber. There is literally a warning on every container of Epsom salts I’ve seen that says diabetic people shouldn’t use them. Meghan doesn’t need to supply a warning when the warning is on the actual product that caused this lady’s distress. And now I find her extra annoying because she made me defend Meghan.”
A third noted,
“It makes it sound like she knew the risk but saw an opportunity to play dumb. No way will TW settle, and this lady hasn’t done herself favours by making it public so quickly. I don’t know a diabetic that isn’t aware of being careful with salts, e.t.c. And there is a reasonable burden of care on herself.”
Bath Salt Disaster Leaves Meghan’s Fan In Distress
Speaking to RadarOnline.com, the fan, Robin Patrick, recalled how she felt a mild tingling sensation initially without discomfort soon after soaking in the bath. As the water level rose in the tub, she began feeling a burning sensation and discomfort, forcing her to step out.
Patrick sustained additional burns on her hand when she stirred the mixture to access it after exiting the bathtub. Despite applying “gold bond lotion” and lidocaine spray to the affected areas soon after trying Meghan Markle’s bath salt, the burns developed into ulcers, which have given her major discomfort to date. The fan alleges that the “catastrophic burns” have since prevented her from taking warm showers and wearing clothes over the affected parts, ultimately disrupting her daily and nightly routines. She added,
“As an individual with an autoimmune condition and compromised immune system, compounded by diabetes-related dry skin on my legs and feet, I am deeply concerned about the risk of infection, sepsis, or other complications. The pain feels as though it is burning from within.”
Patrick admits she is open to a settlement without litigation. However, if her demands are not met, she threatens a lawsuit seeking at least $75,000 in damages. Additionally, she sought $10 million from Meghan Markle, Netflix and Archewell Productions, as recompense for “reckless disregard for public safety and to deter similar conduct in the future.” In her legal letter, Patrick listed a handful of things those damages would account for, including emotional distress, PTSD, disfigurement, and shortened life expectancy.
