Product liability lawsuits can result in large sums of money being paid for damages caused by manufacturers of harmful products. Here’s what you need to know about the top 10 product liability lawsuits in California.
In 2019, the top product liability lawsuit in California resulted in a settlement amount of over $2 billion.
What is Product Liability?
Product liability refers to the manufacturer or seller of a product being held accountable for consumer damages caused by product use. Therefore, products with inherent defects that were sold to consumers can become the subject of product liability lawsuits.
Related: What Is Product Liability in California?
Product liability claims can be created through design defects, manufacturing defects, and defects in marketing.
Related: Elements of a Product Liability Case in California
Top 10 Product Liability Lawsuits in California
Pilliod v. Monsanto Company
After years of using Roundup pesticide on their property, Alberta and Alva Pilliod both developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and sued the manufacturer of Roundup, Monsanto Company, for damages based on claims of design defect and a failure to warn users of potential dangers. The jury ruled in favor of the Pilliods, awarding Alberta $37 million and Alva $18 million in compensatory damages, and awarding both Alberta and Alva $1 billion in damages each in punitive damages.
Hardeman v. Monsanto Company
Edwin Hardeman accused Monsanto Company of their product, Roundup pesticide, resulting in his development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Since 2015, thousands of cancer victims have sued Monsanto Company in state and federal court for the effects their products had on their physical health. The jury ruled in favor of Hardeman, awarding him $5,267,634.10 in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages.
City of Atwater v. Shell Oil Co.
The City of Atwater sued Shell Oil Co. after a highly toxic chemical that posed a risk to public health was found in the city’s water supply. The City claimed that Shell had failed to disclose that a pesticide the company was marketing contained the chemical, and the City used the pesticide on agricultural lands, resulting in the contaminated water. The jury ruled in favor of the City, awarding them $53 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages.
Cabibi v. Johnson & Johnson
Nancy Cabibi sued Johnson & Johnson after she used Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, and was later diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, resulting in many medical procedures. The products were found defective because they contained asbestos, and that the baby powder caused Cabibi’s cancer. The jury ruled in favor of Cabibi, awarding her $40 million in damages.
Putt v. Ford Motor Company
Arthur Putt worked at gas stations throughout the 1960s and 70s, when all brake pads contained asbestos. He later contracted mesothelioma and sued several companies, including Ford Motor Company, who refused to settle. The jury ruled in favor of Putt, awarding him and his spouse $8.5 million in compensatory damages and awarding Putt $25.5 million in punitive damages.
Leavitt v. Johnson & Johnson
Terry Leavitt sued Johnson & Johnson after she used Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower and was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The products were found defective, and it was found that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers of the potential health risks of using their products. The jury ruled in favor of Leavitt, awarding her and her spouse $29.4 million in compensatory damages.
Webb v. General Cable Corp.
Amos Webb sued General Cable Corp. after Webb developed mesothelioma after working with wire and cable containing asbestos, including Romex, which was owned by General Cable Corp. at the time. The jury ruled in favor of Webb, awarding him and his spouse $26.5 million in damages.
Phipps v. Copeland Corp.
William and Linda Phipps sued multiple companies, including Copeland Corp., which was the only company still remaining in the case at the end of the trial, alleging that they exposed William to asbestos. The jury ruled in favor of Phipps, awarding him $25 million in non-economic damages.
Sabetian v. Fluor Enterprises
Soraya and Houshang Sabetian sued Fluor Enterprises, alleging that Houshang contracted testicular mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos when working for the National Iranian Oil Company, which was under construction by Fluor Enterprises. Fluor Enterprises was found negligent, and that this negligence was a substantial cause behind Houshang’s injury. The jury ruled in favor of Sabetian, awarding him and his spouse $25 million in damages.
Eaves v. Ashland, Inc.
Gary and Randy Eaves sued Union Oil, which is owned by Ashland, Inc., after working with solvents manufactured by Union Oil that resulted in Gary being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Randy being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, which later evolved into acute myelogenous leukemia. Eaves claimed that Ashland, Inc. failed to provide adequate warnings of the health risks of their products. The jury ruled in favor of Eaves, awarding the Eaves family $21 million in damages.
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