Kleenex tissue maker Kimberly-Clark Corp. is being sued for more than $500 million for allegedly falsely claiming their surgical gowns protect against Ebola.

California law firm Eagan Avenatti filed the suit Wednesday saying Kimberly-Clark continued to claim the ” Breathable High Performance Surgical Gown provided the highest protection, despite failing industry tests for protection against infectious diseases, including Ebola.

The law firm says millions of the gowns have been sold since 2011, putting health care workers and patients at “considerable risk,” reports Reuters.

“Kimberly-Clark needs to immediately recall these gowns and come clean with the FDA, CDC, healthcare professionals and the general public,” lead attorney Michael Avenatti said in a statement. “The risks associated with continued concealment of the truth are far too great.”

Eagan Avenatti is seeking a class-action lawsuit alleging fraud, false advertising, negligent misrepresentation and unfair business practices and is brought on behalf of lead plaintiff and surgeon Hrayr Shahinian and 500,000 others.

Kimberly-Clark has said it does not comment on ongoing litigation cases.

[Reuters]

Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com.