Posted on Sep 26, 2014
Thornton Law Firm and co-counsel recently settled a lawsuit on behalf of a child with serious birth defects whose mother was exposed to toxic substances during pregnancy while working in the semiconductor chip manufacturing industry. The settlement was reached just before trial was scheduled to begin in California state court.
The plaintiffs brought the action in 2010, alleging that the mother’s exposures to chemicals at work caused her son’s profound injuries, which will require around the clock care for the rest of his life. The boy’s injuries include a chromosomal translocation (an exchange of genetic material between chromosomes) which caused severe and intractable developmental delays. He also suffers from heterotopias, a congenital brain malformation which causes severe seizures. The mother worked as a clean room supervisor at the Defendant’s manufacturing facility in Silicon Valley, California. The mother’s work at the Silicon Valley plant resulted in exposure during her pregnancy to photoresists (light-sensitive materials) containing ethylene glycol ethers, isopropanol, acetone, fluorides and other toxic substances used in the manufacture of semiconductor chips. Silicon Valley has been a center of semiconductor chip manufacturing in the United States for several decades.
The plaintiffs’ chief medical causation expert witness was prepared to offer opinions at trial that the mom’s occupational exposures during the pregnancy caused her son’s birth defects. Plaintiffs’ industrial hygiene expert had also assessed the mother’s work exposure to the toxic chemicals.
Thornton Law Firm partner David C. Strouss was the lead attorney handling this case. The firm, and co-counsel, also currently have a significant number of similar cases pending in California, Delaware, Illinois, and other jurisdictions. These cases are also on behalf of children born with birth defects whose parents were exposed to toxic substances while working in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
If your child has suffered a birth defect that you believe may be the result of your exposure to toxins in your workplace, please contact experienced Boston birth defect attorney David Strouss at Thornton Law Firm for a free consultation by calling 888-341-1405 or tell us your story here. Many workplace chemicals, such as glycol ethers and other solvents, have been linked to serious birth defects. The team at Thornton Law Firm has significant experience in assessing all workplace exposures related to birth defects.The consultation is free and confidential. All legal claims have short time limits; do not delay seeking legal advice.
