Each year, hundreds of defective products hit the market in the United States. Because of a defect in design or manufacture, they end up injuring thousands of people unexpectedly. Under Florida law, victims can hold manufacturers and others accountable when they are injured by these defective products, and they can receive badly-needed compensation to cover medical expenses and other losses.
2018 was a big year for product liability lawsuits, with injured victims suing major corporations, often successfully for millions of dollars. Below we summarize some of the higher profile lawsuits.
Roundup Weed Killer Lawsuit
A verdict out of San Francisco made headlines around the globe when agribusiness Monsanto was found liable for poisoning a school groundskeeper who used Roundup Weed Killer as part of his job. The plaintiff contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he attributed to glyphosate, an herbicide in Roundup.
The United Nations has found that this herbicide is a probable human carcinogen. The jury found on behalf of the injured plaintiff and awarded $289 million.
Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Several lawsuits have been based on allegations that certain talc products have caused ovarian cancer and/or have contained asbestos. Injured plaintiffs have brought several successful lawsuits, including:
- A gigantic $4.69 billion verdict in Missouri on behalf of 22 women who had contracted ovarian cancer
- A $117 million verdict for a man who contracted mesothelioma
Johnson & Johnson, which makes baby powder containing talcum and was a named defendant, has pledged to appeal the verdicts.
Opioids Lawsuit
It is not only injured people who bring product liability cases. Many governments have also filed lawsuits against leading pharmaceutical companies for fostering the opioid epidemic. These lawsuits are still in the early stages, but there is precedent for local and state governments holding pharmaceutical companies responsible for public health crises like this one.
For example, in 2015, the state of Kentucky sued Purdue Pharma for OxyContin use, which resulted in a $24 million settlement. We will keep a close eye on these lawsuits as they continue to advance through the court system.
Products Liability Experience You Can Trust
Taking on a giant corporation is never easy. Injured victims need experienced lawyers in their corner to fight back against corporate malfeasance.
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our personal injury attorneys in Miami have brought lawsuits on behalf of countless clients. Our detailed approach has allowed us to obtain tens of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our clients, and we will use that same experience on your behalf.
For more information about how we can help, please contact us today. You can schedule a free initial consultation by calling 305-371-2692.