Chemical Companies Can be Found Responsible for Conspiracy to Cover Up Dangers of vinyl Chloride

In a resounding opinion, Judge Theodore Winard of the Superior Court of Essex County, New Jersey, ruled that BF Goodrich, Shell, PPG, Borden and the American Chemistry Council (formerly the Manufacturing Chemists Association) could be held responsible for conspiring to cover up the dangers of vinyl chloride in the death of a worker at the Pantasote poly vinyl chloride plant in Passaic, New Jersey.  Judge Winard found that the companies knew since 1959 that vinyl chloride could cause injury to the liver and knew since the late 1960s and early 1970s that it caused cancer in laboratory animals.  In spite of this, these companies did nothing to inform vinyl chloride workers of these health hazards until a sudden announcement in January of 1974.

The case was brought on behalf of the Estate of Nicholas Lewis, who was employed by the Pantasote Plant for 28 years as a chemical operator unloading railroad tank cars of vinyl chloride.  Mr. Lewis died of liver cancer, which is known to be caused by vinyl chloride.

If you know anyone who was worked in a vinyl chloride plant and has liver cancer, please contact Mark Cuker at mcuker@wcblegal.com or 215-557-0099.

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