Woman claims cold pack manufacturers failed to warn that prolonged use could lead to burns

A pair of companies are facing a lawsuit over a woman's allegation she suffered shock to her nervous system from using a cold pack the fire department gave her.

Louise Constantino filed a lawsuit July 1 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Medline Industries Inc. and Rapid Aid Corp., alleging product liability.

According to the complaint, Constantino fainted at a festival in Melrose Park on July 12, 2012, and was treated by Melrose Park Fire Department paramedics, who gave her a deluxe cold pack manufactured by Rapid Aid and distributed by Medline.

Constantino claims she suffered injuries, including severe shock to her nervous system, bruises, broken bones and became sick, as a result of the defendants' failure to provide adequate warnings that prolonged use of the cold pack could cause severe burns.

The suit includes counts alleging strict product liability and product negligence against the defendants.

Constantino is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is being represented in the case by attorney Kevin J. O'Shea of Serpico, Petrosino, DiPiero & O'Shea Ltd. in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L006937.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.