3 Major Product Liability Cases to Know About in November 2021
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on November 10, 2021
3M’s Defective Earplugs
Over the past few months, hundreds of thousands of military veterans have begun to file lawsuits against “3M,” maker of the defective Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2. Used in all branches of the military, the earplugs have been proven to cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and other damaging effects.
So far, five trials have reached a verdict. Three trials awarded veterans with millions of dollars in payouts for their suffering. Of these, the largest settlement was $8.2 million in damages, awarded to a veteran on Oct 1. However, two of these preliminary trials reached a verdict in favor of 3W. In the most recent case, completed November 1, the plaintiff Michelle Blum failed to prove that 3M was liable for the hearing damage she sustained while in the army. However, her case was an especially weak one, selected by 3M’s defense as a bellwether trial. The outcome of these two trials will likely not impact future cases.
As of November 3rd, two new trials started in Florida: Guillermo Camarillorazo v. 3M Company and Joseph Palanki v. 3M Company. In coming weeks, this case will continue to expand into a massive class action lawsuit. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered due to the 3M earplugs, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel.
Black Particles in Phillips CPAP
Phillips, the maker of the CPAP breathing machine, is facing over 100 lawsuits in a growing class action case. In June 2021, Phillips recalled hundreds of thousands of CPAP machines and related devices containing a polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam, which has been proven to release carcinogenic agents such as “black particles and toxic gases. ” Users also reported experiencing headaches, airway irritation, chest pressure, cough, sinus infections, and many more negative side effects.
Anyone who has experienced side effects from a recalled Phillip’s Bi-PAP, CPAP or ventilator, or lost a loved one due to one of the devices is entitled to legal consultation and compensation. Don’t wait, reach out today.
Roundup Causes Cancer
Earlier this year, Bayer/Monsanto, the makers of Roundup, finally reached an $11 billion settlement in the major class action lawsuit that connected the weed-killing agent to cancer. However, only 80% of plaintiffs have received a payout–some people will receive their checks in 2022, and others are only beginning to go to trial in a “third wave” of cases. So, it’s certainly not too late to file a lawsuit if you are eligible.
Earlier this month, Bayer/Monsanto had a rare victory in court: a trial in California found insufficient evidence to connect a child’s rare form of cancer to his mother’s Roundup use.
Nonetheless, this unique case is not expected to affect the outcome of other trials or future developments in the class action lawsuit.
If you or someone you love has suffered due to a faulty product or device, the experienced team at Cooper and Friedman PLLC can help. We have decades of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims in Louisville, Kentucky and across the state. We handle your case personally and you can always be sure that our attorneys will be responsive to your phone calls and inquiries. For more information, or to schedule a free case consultation with a Kentucky injury attorney, give us a call at 502-459-7555 or contact us by email today.