DuPont C8 Lawsuit Claims DuPont Knew of Risks of C8 Exposure
Residents of the Parkersburg area have filed four separate Dupont C8 lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Parkersburg and Columbus against DuPont alleging that drinking water contaminated with C8 from a nearby plant made them sick.
Wright & Schulte, an experienced personal injury law firm representing those injured by DuPont C8 toxic chemical exposure continues to investigate DuPont C8 lawsuits filed on behalf of residents of West Virginia and Ohio who were allegedly exposed to the toxic chemical through drinking water contaminated from DuPont’s Washington Works plant near Parkersburg, WV.
In four individually filed lawsuits, the plaintiffs say “For at least several decades, DuPont has had knowledge and/or the means of knowledge that the releases and C8 were causally connected with and/or could increase the risk of causing damage to humans and animals, including knowledge of statistically significant findings showing a causal connection between exposure to C8 and physical injuries in humans and animals,” reports the West Virginia Gazette. (http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201302070102)
The lawsuits are some of the first filed after the results a study conducted by a science panel found that a whole host of illnesses and cancers could be linked to C8 exposure. They allege that DuPont knew that the chemical releases could make local residents ill but attempted to cover up evidence. According to the Gazette, the complaints say that DuPont “withheld, misrepresented, and/or concealed information regarding the releases and C8 exposure” from the public “with the intention to mislead and/or defraud them into believing C8 exposure was not harmful, and to mislead and/or defraud them into continuing to purchase and consume drinking water contaminated with C8.”
The C8 Science Panel was established as part of the terms of a settlement of a 2001 class action lawsuit filed against DuPont. The panel conducted what the Gazette calls “one of the most extensive examinations ever” of the toxic effects of C8. After six years of investigations, the panel found that the chemical posed a “probable link” between C8 and a multitude of diseases including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, hypertension during pregnancy, and inflammatory bowel disease. Terms in the settlement also protect the rights of Ohio Valley residents who file lawsuits against the chemical giant alleging they were made sick from C8 contamination.
Wright & Schulte LLC offers free DuPont C8 lawsuit consultations to any individuals who lived near the DuPont Washington Works Plant for at least one year prior to December 24, 2004, and have suffered from conditions linked to C8 exposure:
- High cholesterol
- Thyroid disease
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)
- Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
DuPont C8 Lawsuit
The DuPont C8 lawsuits are the first of many expected to be filed now that the C8 Science Panel has concluded their research and found links between the chemical and specific serious illnesses. C8, perfluorooctanoate acid, or PFOA, has been used for more than 50 years in DuPont’s West Virginia plant to make Teflon and other non-stick products. The company has said the current lawsuits are not based on valid science, including that they “ignore family history and lifestyle choices as primary cause of health issues and disease in specific individuals.”
About Wright & Schulte LLC
Wright & Schulte LLC, a personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured by the negligence or misconduct of others. Whether it is a personal injury due to a highway accident, medical malpractice, product liability, nursing home abuse, a construction accident, wrongful death, or any other lawsuits we are always here to answer any questions and help in any way we can. It costs nothing to talk to us, so schedule a free initial consultation. There is no obligation. You can have the advice of a respected legal professional. Contact our office at yourohiolegalhelp.com or by phone at (937)-222-7477 to set up your free appointment.
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