1. Faulty Air Bags Leading to Serious Injury
We expect air bags to protect drivers and their passengers in motor vehicle accidents, but they have been linked to defects leading to life-altering injuries, and even fatalities.
In 2017, 35 million vehicles were recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to faulty airbags, manufactured by Takata Corp., that may violently rupture in a crash. At least ten deaths worldwide (nine in the United States) were linked to a defective airbag, along with more than 100 injuries.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigations seven years ago into inflators manufactured by Tennessee-based company, ARC Automotive, after two passengers suffered injuries from flying shrapnel upon deployment. Just last October, a second person was killed by an ARC Air Bag due to flying shrapnel following the airbag’s deployment.
As a driver, it’s important to be aware of all air bag-related recalls and which vehicles are affected. Learn more here.
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2. Drinking Water Contamination From Toxic “Forever” Chemicals, PFAS
PFAS are a large, diverse family of compounds that have historically been widely used in manufacturing for materials such as carpets, rugs, and cookware due to their resistance to extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, two chemicals classed under PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – have found their way into residents’ drinking water.
Findings in the early 2000s showed that PFAS can remain in human blood over a long period of time, leading to their nickname, “forever chemicals.”
In June, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated health advisories for two PFOA and PFOS – both now commonly found in drinking water systems across the United States – finding that safe levels of exposure to the toxic chemicals are up to 17,000 times lower than previously thought.
As of 2021, more than 200 million people nationwide were exposed to PFAS through their tap water, despite the substances mostly phased out in 2015 due to previous alarming EPA findings. Up to 99% of Americans now have at least some level of PFAS in their body, and scientists have concluded that PFAS chemicals are likely detectable in every major water supply across the United States.
3. Camp Lejeune Drinking Water Contamination
In the early 1980s, two water-supply systems at Camp Lejeune were found to be contaminated with a group of chemicals known as “volatile organic compounds.” These chemicals were found to have infiltrated the drinking water.
Up to one million military members, military staff, and military family members and other individuals at Camp Lejeune were exposed to the chemicals in this contaminated water (CDC).
Because of this, any individual – including U.S. Military Veterans and their families – who served, worked, or resided at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., between 1953 and 1987 may have come into contact with contaminated drinking water linked to severe medical conditions, and may be eligible for health benefits and disability compensation.
For a full list of severe medical conditions linked to contaminated Camp Lejeune drinking water, click here:
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4. 3M Defective Military Earplugs
The largest mass tort litigation in history – with over 290,000 actions pending as of June 2022 –The 3M Company is battling claims that they sold defective earplugs to the U.S. Military to use in combat.
Claims against the company’s Combat Arms Earplugs include a design defect that can result in permanent hearing damage due to failure to protect the user against loud sounds such as gunshots and explosions. The earplugs were manufactured by Aearo Technologies, who were bought by 3M in 2008.
The earplugs were allegedly too short for proper insertion, causing them to gradually loosen in user’s ears until they were effectively rendered useless. According to the federal complaint, the earplugs, “have likely caused thousands of soldiers to suffer significant hearing loss and tinnitus in addition to exposing millions to the risk caused by 3M’s defective earplugs.”
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5. Paraquat’s Link to Parkinson’s
Paraquat is a herbicide developed in the 1960s used to kill weeds and other unwanted vegetation in commercial farming. While its usage has continued to grow in popularity as weeds have become more resistant to other products, recent studies have shown that symptoms of Paraquat exposure can lead to increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The herbicide is now banned in 32 countries, but despite its negative impact on public health, Paraquat usage is expected to continue to increase across the United States. In 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reapproved continued use of the chemical for another 15 years, a decision that drew heavy criticism from environmental and public health organizations.
While Paraquat remains legal, the EPA has deemed it a restricted-use chemical, which means only commercially licensed applicators can use Paraquat.
About Cory Watson Attorneys
Cory Watson Attorneys is a national personal injury law firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, with more than $3 Billion in recoveries. Attorneys are frequently appointed to leadership positions in national cases involving pharmaceuticals and defective medical devices. Practice areas include product liability, class actions, mass torts, pharmaceutical litigation, wrongful death, asbestos, mesothelioma, car accidents, truck accidents, catastrophic injury, aviation, recalled products, and environmental litigation.
Contact Cory Watson Attorneys today by calling (877) 562-0000 or fill out the FREE online consultation form on this page to learn more about your legal options. Don’t wait to reach out – Contact us today!
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