As of October 2023, Sterigenics and parent company Sotera Health have paid $35 million in ethylene oxide exposure cases involving 79 people. These plaintiffs alleged that ethylene oxide (“EtO”) exposure at an Atlanta Sterigenics facility has caused cancer diagnoses including lymphoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. This settlement closed what would have been the first of many Sterigenics lawsuits in Georgia.
EtO is a known carcinogen, and law firms nationwide are seeking plaintiffs for EtO exposure class action lawsuits. If a business or employer exposed you to EtO, you could have a strong case for compensation in court.
In the case of Sterigenics plant employees, it could be possible to bring a Gwinnett County ethylene oxide lawsuit and obtain compensation for damages. Cobb County Sterigenics lawsuits are also on the table, as many people have suffered significant injuries related to environmental exposure.
If you suspect that you’ve been exposed to EtO, reach out to the law firm of Console & Associates, P.C. today for further guidance. Call 866-778-5500 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and explore your prospects in a Sterigenics Ethylene oxide lawsuit.
Ethylene oxide (“EtO”) is a component in chemicals such as antifreeze and a sterilizing gas. It’s highly effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and it’s a popular low-temperature alternative to steam sterilization. However, EtO also poses serious health risks to those who experience intense or prolonged exposure. As an alkylating agent, EtO can interact with DNA and produce cancer-causing mutations.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies EtO as a Group 1 carcinogen. Many studies back this up by demonstrating that industrial workers who experience EtO exposure are much more likely to develop certain cancers. Facilities where workers are at risk of EtO exposure include;
However, it’s not only those who work in facilities that use EtO who are at risk.
Learn your legal options.
Even small traces of EtO can increase cancer risk if a person experiences prolonged exposure. As industrial facilities release EtO into the air, nearby communities can become victims of environmental exposure.
One recently settled case came from a Cobb County man who developed leukemia at an abnormally young age. He was active in outdoor extracurricular activities, and attended school just two miles away from the Sterigenics plant. His intense, prolonged outdoor physical activity so close to the plant would have made him more susceptible to EtO exposure.
On its own, someone might write this off as coincidence. However, there are hundreds of similar stories regarding ethylene oxide cancer claims in Georgia. It’s likely that there are many such cases that still haven’t come to light, as well.
There are many possible damages that a victim of EtO exposure might win through a Sterigenics ethylene oxide lawsuit revolving around Georgia ethylene oxide exposure. These fall into two broad categories; economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may cover the following:
In general, economic damages cover quantifiable losses that the plaintiff has suffered. However, the courts also recognize the value of other, less quantifiable damages. Possible non-economic damages in a Sterigenics lawsuit include:
Besides damages that pertain to individual losses, there are also other types of damages. If your loved one passed away due to EtO exposure, you can claim damages for wrongful death. The court may also judge the defendant’s actions to have been so egregious that they demand additional punishment, in which case plaintiffs may receive punitive damages.
The exact damages vary from case to case, but one thing remains consistent. If you suspect you’ve been injured by EtO exposure, call our experienced Sterigenics lawyer at 866-778-5500 or complete our online form to learn your legal options.
