$275M Verdict Against Monsanto In Latest PCB Exposure Trial in Washington State School

$275M Verdict Against Monsanto In Latest PCB Exposure Trial in Washington State School

by | Oct 21, 2022 | News

Excerpts from David Siegel’s Courtroom View Network’s Article here: https://blog.cvn.com/jury-hits-monsanto-with-275m-verdict-in-latest-trial-over-pcb-exposure-in-washington-state-school 

A Washington State court jury returned a $275 million verdict last week in the fifth consecutive trial over allegations that long-lasting toxic chemicals manufactured by Bayer-owned agrochemical giant Monsanto in a local school caused serious neurological injuries to students and teachers.

During trial attorneys for the plaintiffs alleged that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, caused their clients to suffer a range of neurological injuries, and that some students could face a lifetime of cognitive deficits as a result of the damage they allegedly sustained. 

Friedman was joined in the recently concluded case by attorneys Nicholas and Courtney Rowley of Trial Lawyers for Justice.

His co-counsel Nick Rowley added that PCBs pose a danger to as many as 14 million school aged children nationally.

“The worst thing about it is that 99% of the people who have been harmed don’t know about PCBs,” Rowley said. “Today a jury held the company responsible for this harm accountable, but this case is just the tip of the iceberg.”

“As parents ourselves, we care deeply about the children, teachers, and families whose lives have been irreparably and forever harmed by PCBs in schools across America,” said Courtney Rowley, co-founder of Trial Lawyers for Justice.

Ross E. Herington

Ross E. Herington

by | Oct 14, 2022 | JordanLaw

Ross E. Herington

Ross E Herington
BAR ADMISSIONS

Colorado
 

EDUCATION

 University of Richmond
– J.D. Juris Doctor

 Rutgers University
– Political Science and Sociology

Bio

Ross E. Herington

Ross Herington is a dedicated and proven trial attorney who has zealously represented clients throughout the State of Colorado. Mr. Herington combines this wealth of trial experience with a personal commitment to the welfare and fair treatment of his clients.

Mr. Herington received his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from Rutgers University and his Law Degree from the University of Richmond. His dedication to protecting the rights of others began while in law school when he interned for the Richmond City Public Defenders Office.

Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Herington accepted a position to become a trial attorney for the State of Colorado. As a Deputy Public Defender, Mr. Herington handled thousands of cases and gained invaluable experience in all phases of litigation and trial advocacy.

The Denver personal injury attorney joined Jordan, Herington & Rowley in 2012, and has brought with him his extensive trial and litigation experience, and now focuses solely on representing those injured by the negligence of others.

Ross Herington has dedicated his professional career to protecting the rights of his clients.

Mr. Herington is licensed to practice in the State of Colorado and is a member of the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, and Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.

Mr. Herington was also listed selected as The National Trial Lawyers top 40 under 40 and is a proud member of the American Institute of Legal advocates.

Jason W. Jordan

Jason W. Jordan

by | Oct 14, 2022 | JordanLaw

Jason W. Jordan

Jason Jordan Attorney
BAR ADMISSIONS

Colorado
Washington

 

Bio

Jason W. Jordan

Jason W. Jordan is the founding member of Jordan Herington & Rowley. Mr. Jordan has dedicated his professional career to helping injured victims receive full and fair compensation under the law. This requires complex legal wrangling with multi-billion dollar insurance companies and their legal counsel.

Mr. Jordan prides himself on being a true trial lawyer. While not all cases need to be tried, or even litigated, Mr. Jordan has a reputation for going to trial when the insurance company refuses to fairly evaluate his clients’ claims. Mr. Jordan successes in both Federal and State Court has led to other personal injury lawyers bringing cases to Jordan Herington & Rowley to litigate and try. Mr. Jordan has had success with large verdicts with these co-counsel agreements in both Federal and State Courts.

Mr. Jordan practice encompasses nearly all types of personal injury cases. His practice includes, but is not limited to, civil litigation, catastrophic injury cases, as well as personal injuries stemming from motor vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents, as well as wrongful death, product defects, brain injury, orthopedic injury, spinal cord injury, and bad faith insurance litigation.

The Denver personal injury attorney has obtained tens of millions of dollars of settlements and verdicts for his clients. He has testified before the Colorado House of Representatives, and State Senate, in support of legislation that makes it easier for citizens to make legal claims against the State of Colorado. Mr. Jordan has also testified to the State Senate State Affairs Committee in support of a bill to raise the cap of a wrongful death claim of a minor. Mr. Jordan sits on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and Legislative Council of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA). Mr. Jordan has received numerous awards and recognitions including the “New Trial Lawyer of the Year” Award from the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and was recently elected by his peers at the CTLA to serve as the future President of the organization.

Mr. Jordan, and his wife, Michelle, are proud parents of seven children. The family spends their limited free time skiing, fishing, and mountain biking, and attending kids’ sporting events.

$275M Verdict Against Monsanto In Latest PCB Exposure Trial in Washington State School

Mass Torts

by | Sep 27, 2022 | practice-areas

Trial Lawyers for Justice has secured over $2 billion in judgments for its clients.

Featured Work

Fighting for Families and Students Harmed by PCBs.

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Jury Hits Monsanto With $275M Verdict In Latest Trial Over PCB Exposure in Washington State School

Trial Opening TL4J

What Are PCBs?

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their durability. Though PCBs were used widely for industrial purposes, they were banned in the 1970s.

 

PCBs are classified as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1).

Research compiled by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry shows that PCBs can lead to the following health issues:

Neurobehavioral and Developmental Deficits in Newborns

  • Disrupted Reproductive System
  • Fibrosis
  • Necrosis
  • Neurological Deficiencies
  • Cardiovascular Risks
  • Adverse Dermal Effects

SEEKING JUSTICE

In recent years, PCBs have been found in the Sky Valley Educational Center, a Monroe School District building located in Washington. Trial Lawyers for Justice represents injured faculty and parents that have actions pending against Monsanto, the only domestic manufacturer of PCB chemical. The lawsuits allege that PCBs in outdated light fixtures and building caulk caused serious neurological injuries.

Monsanto has an extensive record of producing dangerous products including Agent Orange, Roundup, Nutrasweet, Synthetic Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGh), and more.

Although Monsanto knew PCBs posed a severe health risk, they shielded this information from public view for decades.

As parents ourselves, we care deeply about the children and families whose lives have been irreparably harmed by PCBs in schools across America.  This is a national health crisis and we are proud to support victims who are entitled to billions of dollars in damages.

If you believe you have been a victim of PCBs, please contact us here.

Health Effects of PCBs

The EPA has classified all PCBs as probable human carcinogens (cancer-causing substances). Evidence suggests a possible association between PCB exposure and liver cancer. PCBs also have significant ecological and human health effects other than cancer. 

The most likely way that staff may become exposed to PCBs from light ballasts is through breathing contaminated air or touching PCB oil or PCB-contaminated materials after a ballast leak or fire. Long-term effects can occur at any time after exposure and may last for months or years. They include:

  • Affects to the nervous and reproductive system, immune system suppression. This can cause numbness, weakness, and tingling in arms and legs. 
  • Muscle and joint pain.
  • Hormone disruption.
  • Respiratory tract symptoms.
  • Gastrointestinal effects, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
  • Liver damage
  • Effects on the skin and eyes such as chloracne, skin rashes, and eye irritation.

Infants of mothers exposed to PCBs can experience developmental effects impairing movement, visual recognition memory, and short-term memory. PCBs may also be passed onto infants through their pregnant or nursing mothers.  This may include still births, and underweight births.

Short-term effects, which may be noticed immediately or shortly after exposure to PCBs include irritation of eyes, nose, and throat. Short-term exposure to high levels of PCBs can damage the liver.

PCBs are very stable chemical compounds that do not readily break down. Because of this, they may remain in the body, causing long-lasting toxic effects over many years. For this reason, it is critical to minimize any potential exposure to them. The EPA banned the manufacture and import in 1979.

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