Products Liability Newsletters

Agent Orange Litigation

Agent Orange was the code name for a herbicide used by the United States military during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange was used to defoliate trees and bushes to reduce cover for enemy forces. Almost 20 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed over the South Vietnam countryside during the war. Several hundred thousand soldiers were exposed to Agent Orange, which contained a toxic by-product known as dioxin. Some veterans who returned from the war began complaining about a variety of ailments.

Common Elements of Products Liability Cases

Products liability law covers personal injury and property damage that occurs when a defective product is used. There are several elements that are common to products liability cases. First, an injured person must prove that the product was defective or harmful. Second, it is necessary to show that the product was defective when it was purchased or delivered. Third, the injured person must show that the defective product caused the injury or accident.

Household Chemical Litigation

Almost any household chemical can be dangerous if swallowed or spilled. It is estimated that the average home in America contains over 60 toxic chemicals. Some of the commonly used household products that can be dangerous are air fresheners, ammonia, bleach, carpet and upholstery shampoos, dishwasher detergents, drain cleaners, furniture polishes, mold and mildew cleaners, oven cleaners, antibacterial cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners. The injuries that these products can cause range from mild skin irritation to death.

Human Gene Therapy

Genes are the basic units of heredity. Human genes contain information that tells the body how to work. They are responsible for cellular structure and function. When a gene is defective, it prevents the cell from carrying out its normal functions.

Latex Allergy Litigation Claims

Natural rubber latex is used to make surgical and examination gloves, adhesive bandages, intravenous catheters, and anesthesia equipment. Some users of latex products have developed sensitivities or allergies to latex. The problem is significant. U.S. government officials estimate that almost one million health care workers have developed an allergic reaction to latex. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adopted a rule requiring manufacturers to place cautionary statements on products that come in contact with human skin and contain rubber latex.