Local News in Brief : Tampon Suit Brings $75,000 Settlement

A Moorpark woman and the makers of Kotex tampons have settled a suit alleging that the product caused the woman to develop toxic shock syndrome about five years ago and has led to a continuing memory problem.

Roberta Warne, now 34, became ill in June, 1980, after using the Kimberly-Clark Co.’s Kotex tampons, said her attorney, Robert Herman.

Warne spent eight days at Simi Valley Adventist Hospital during which she suffered hair loss, a 106-degree temperature, swelling over large parts of her body, pneumonia and a rash over her body. She was listed in critical condition during part of the hospital stay.

In June, 1981, Warne filed suit against Kimberly-Clark, charging that the tampon was unsafe and asking for $85,000 in damages. On Friday the two sides settled for $75,000. The company still denies any wrongdoing, Herman said.

Herman said Warne, a housewife with two children, has mostly recovered from the illness, which was complicated because she had earlier donated one of her kidneys to a sister. Herman said Warne still has memory lapses and tires easily, but is improving.