Fighting for Families and Students Harmed by PCBs.

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

What Are 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 The lawsuits allege that PCBs in outdated light fixtures and building caulk caused serious neurological injuries.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.

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.

As consumers, we tend to believe the products we buy are safe for us to use, but that’s not always the case. Retailers, manufacturers, and product designers make mistakes, and these mistakes can lead to defective products. A product is defective when it does not do what it is intended to do. Unfortunately, some defective products can cause injuries or fatalities.

Injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the type of product and defect. Victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speak to an attorney today to discuss your legal options and rights under your state’s product liability laws.

Types of Product Defects

There are three different types of product defects that could injure you, including:

Design Defects: If the product was dangerous because of the design, this is a design defect. For example, if a power tool is designed so the operator’s hand is not protected from the blade, this would be a design defect.

• • Manufacturing Defects: If the product was designed correctly, but then an error occurs during the manufacturing process, this is known as a manufacturing defect. For example, if the power tool was designed to protect the operator’s hand, but the protection shield was not installed correctly during the manufacturing process, this is a manufacturing defect.
  • Marketing Defects: Consumers must be made aware of any risks associated with using a product. If a product does not have instructions or warnings on the package and an injury occurs as a result, this is a marketing defect. Using the power tool example, if the packaging did not have instructions on how to safely use the tool, this would be a marketing defect.

It’s important to note you cannot file a product liability claim if you were not using the product as it was intended to be used. In these cases, the manufacturer, retailer, designer, and other parties are not liable for any injuries caused by the product.

Also, warnings are not required on every product, so the absence of a warning does not always mean there is a marketing defect. Manufacturers are only required to add a warning when the product presents a danger, the manufacturer is aware of the potential danger, and the danger may not be obvious to the average product user. Manufacturers are only required to warn you against dangers that could arise when you are using the product as it is intended.

Liability For Product Defects

A few different parties may be liable for the injuries caused by a defective product. In order to determine who is liable for your injuries, you will have to identify the type of product defect. Designers and engineers involved with the product design will be held liable for design defects, while the manufacturer will be held liable for manufacturing defects. Manufacturers are also responsible for marketing defects, as they have a duty to warn consumers of the dangers associated with using a product.

An experienced attorney at the Trial Lawyers for Justice can review the details of your case and help you determine which parties should be held liable for your injuries.

Help For Victims of Defective Products

Retailers, manufacturers, designers, and distributors should be held liable when they sell a defective product to consumers. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective product, you will need legal assistance from an experienced attorney. Contact the team of attorneys at the Trial Lawyers for Justice to discuss your legal options. Call 866-854-5529 to schedule a free consultation today.