Dupont Chemical recently agreed to settle a massive toxic chemical exposure lawsuit with 3,500 plaintiffs over allegations the notorious chemical giant dumped cancer-causing chemicals into the Ohio River from its West Virginia plant. The settlement comes after jurors handed down significant verdicts to victims in three other critical test trials over the previous two years.
Each time Dupont went to trial over its cancer-causing C8 chemical, courts handed down larger and larger awards in favor of the plaintiffs. With verdicts of $1.5 million, $5.1 million, and $12.5 million, Dupont inevitably saw the writing on the wall that the public would no longer tolerate unscrupulous corporate greed and the harm it causes to innocent victims.
At the helm of two of those cases was legendary trial lawyer Mike Papantonio, a senior partner at Levin Papantonio, leading the charge of corporate accountability. In addition to a robust legal practice, Mike Papantonio is also the host of America’s Lawyer on RT America. He can be seen here with David Haynes, the managing attorney of The Cochran Firm, D.C.
For decades, Dupont manufactured toxic C8 (perfluorooctanoic acid), used to create non-stick Teflon, and dumped the runoff into the nearby Ohio River. After years of denial and legal wrangling, courts allowed thousands of plaintiffs to follow through with claims alleging negligence by one of the world’s largest corporations caused serious health problems.
Dupont and another company, Chemours, each agreed to finance an immediate cash settlement of $670 million to compensate victims for their injuries. The total settlement is expected to rise to $920 million when payments for future suits and settlements are factored in.
Without the outstanding dedication and commitment to justice on the part of the trial lawyers representing these plaintiffs, Dupont’s malicious actions may have gone unpunished. Although the settlement is not an admittance of liability by Dupont, the resolution is nonetheless significant to those watching around the world.
The Cochran Firm, D.C. is proud to have provided legal support in one of the important bellwether trials that helped secure the much-needed compensation to one plaintiff and set an important tone for future litigation. Additionally, The Cochran Firm was a part of the legal team that helped secure millions from Dupont to finance a clean-up of the Ohio Valley in the late 1990s.
To this day, The Cochran Firm, D.C. continues to represent victims harmed by toxic chemicals, dangerous consumer products, and corporate negligence. If you or a loved one were harmed by a dangerous substance or product, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Washington, DC to discuss your case.
