Products Liability Law Reporter
Verdicts & Settlements: Commercial Products
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PCB exposure at school
March 12, 2024The Sky Valley Education Center, a former middle school in Monroe, Wash., had leaking polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)-containing light ballasts and PCB caulking, resulting in PCB exposure for multiple students, teachers, and others. Five children and two adults—among others—developed damage to their nervous and endocrine systems, plus autoimmune disorders such as Lupus and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis after their PCB exposure.
The seven individuals sued Monsanto Co.; Solutia Inc.; and Pharmacia LLC, alleging that the defendants had supplied a product that was not reasonably safe in construction or as designed. Suit also alleged failure to warn.
The jury awarded $857 million, including $784 million in punitive damages.
Citation: Bard v. Monsanto Co., No. 21-2-14305-5 SEA (Wash. Super. Ct. King Cnty. Jan. 5, 2024).
Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Michael S. Wampold and Felix G. Luna, both of Seattle; Theresa Bowen Hatch, Carlsbad, Calif.; Keith Bruno, Newport Beach, Calif.; and AAJ members Henry G. Jones and Sean J. Gamble, both of Bremerton, Wash.
