Ethylene Oxide Lawsuits

In a recent precedent-setting case, a Gwinnett County jury award compensated a retired truck driver, Gary Walker, with $20 million in damages, after he developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma due to decades of exposure to toxic emissions from a medical sterilization plant in Covington, Georgia. This case is just the beginning of ethylene oxide lawsuits. Hundreds of people are now bringing claims after being dangerously exposed to this carcinogenic chemical—whether through working at, or merely living near, facilities that let hazardous levels escape into the surrounding air.

There is mounting evidence that suggests prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide may be linked to serious health conditions, including breast cancer and leukemia. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after living or working near a sterilization facility or chemical plant, it’s important to determine whether you may have a case against one of these facilities and its owners—and whether you’re eligible for compensation. At The Lovely Law Firm our experienced attorneys are committed to seeking justice for individuals who have suffered at the hands of another and this includes corporations whose actions have put large numbers of people at risk. We invite you to reach out to the team of mass tort lawyers here at our South Carolina law firm for a free and confidential, no obligation case consultation to see how we can help you. Our knowledgeable legal team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no fee unless we win your case.

What Is Ethylene Oxide (EtO), Why Is It Dangerous?

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colorless, odorless gas used primarily to sterilize medical equipment and manufacture certain chemicals. Ethylene oxide is widely used for industrial purposes, especially for sterilizing medical devices and producing antifreeze. Even though this chemical does serve an important function in certain industries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans.

The greatest risk arises from long-term, low-level exposure to ethylene oxide, which often occurs for individuals who work at sterilization facilities through occupational exposure or people living in nearby communities, since this gas can linger in the air and seep into homes, schools, and workplaces, leading to chronic inhalation exposure. This environmental contamination poses serious public health risks, as air quality near these facilities can be severely compromised.

Illnesses Caused By Exposure to Ethylene Oxide (EtO)

A number of different types of illnesses, most significantly cancers, have been linked to long-term exposure to ethylene oxide. Among the most common are:

• non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• breast cancer
• leukemia
• multiple myeloma
• liver cancer (limited to non or light drinker and younger age)
• lung cancer (limited to non-smoker)

Of the types of cancers that have been most predominantly linked to ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure, breast cancer and leukemia stand out.

Breast Cancer and Ethylene Oxide Exposure

Scientific studies have shown a strong correlation between ethylene oxide exposure and an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly among women. The gas can interfere with the body’s hormonal and genetic systems, contributing to the development of breast tumors. People who had long-term exposure were at a higher risk of developing ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive, early-stage breast cancer.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and lived or worked near a sterilization plant or chemical factory known to emit ethylene oxide, you may have a valid legal claim. At The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we work with medical and environmental experts to trace exposure pathways and strengthen your case. Contact our office to set up a free consultation.

Leukemia and Ethylene Oxide

One of the most well-documented health effects of ethylene oxide is its link to blood cancers, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. EtO is a mutagen, meaning it can damage DNA and disrupt blood cell formation in the bone marrow.

Individuals who have worked in sterilization facilities or who have lived within a few miles of one for several years are especially at risk. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with leukemia, and there’s a known source of ethylene oxide emissions nearby, it’s worth investigating whether the exposure may be the cause. Our qualified attorneys can help you prove causation through expert testimony and medical documentation.

What Is an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?

An ethylene oxide lawsuit is a legal claim filed by someone who developed cancer or another serious illness after prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO). People who lived or worked near facilities that use or emit ethylene oxide may be eligible to seek compensation if they were later diagnosed with breast cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or another illness linked to EtO exposure.

Ethylene oxide lawsuits generally allege that companies exposed workers or nearby communities to dangerous levels of EtO without adequately controlling emissions or warning people about the potential health risks.

Who Qualifies for an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?

What is the Eligibility to Move Forward with an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?

People who developed a qualifying illness after significant exposure to ethylene oxide may be eligible to file an EtO lawsuit. Important factors can include the type of cancer or illness diagnosed, where the person lived or worked, their proximity to an ethylene oxide facility, how long they were exposed, and the amount of time between the exposure and their diagnosis.

Medical records, employment records, and residential history can help establish whether someone meets the requirements for an ethylene oxide claim. If you feel that you may be eligible to pursue compensation for ethylene oxide exposure, it’s important to understand that there are some criteria which must be met:

• Diagnosis: You must have a qualifying health condition, such as breast cancer, leukemia, or another type of cancer known to be linked to EtO exposure.
• Exposure History: You must show that you lived or worked near a known emitter of ethylene oxide—typically within a few miles—for a significant period, often five years or more. This exposure history is currently being broken into three different categories:
  • Claimants who lived within 4 miles of a targeted site after the opening date for at least one year.
  • Claimant family members who lived within 4 miles of a targeted site after the opening date for at least one year.
  • Claimants who worked at a targeted site after the opening date for at least one year.
• Timeline: The timing of your diagnosis and the duration of your exposure both play crucial roles in establishing causation.
• Medical Records and Residence History: These documents are essential for building a solid case, as they help demonstrate both your illness and your proximity to the exposure source.

If you’re wondering “am I eligible” or “do I have an EtO case,” our experienced legal team can conduct a full investigation and exposure assessment to determine if you qualify. We’ll help you understand what evidence you need and how to prove exposure, even if you’re concerned about whether it’s too late to file.

How Do I File an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit?

If you believe you developed cancer or another serious illness because of ethylene oxide exposure, the following steps can help determine whether you have a potential claim:

1. Document your ethylene oxide exposure. Identify where you lived or worked, how close you were to an EtO-emitting facility, and how long you may have been exposed.
2. Gather your medical records. Documentation of your cancer diagnosis and medical history can help establish whether your illness may be associated with EtO exposure.
3. Review your exposure and diagnosis timeline. The length of your exposure and the time between exposure and diagnosis can be important when evaluating an ethylene oxide lawsuit.
4. Speak with an ethylene oxide lawsuit attorney. An attorney can investigate your exposure history, determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements, and explain whether you may be able to pursue compensation.

Facilities That Use Ethylene Oxide In or Near South Carolina

American Contract Systems Lawsuit & Elite Spice Lawsuit

There are many facilities that use ethylene oxide in their sterilization process located near South Carolina, where the Lovely Law Firm practices. These include:

• Steris-Isomedix Services, Spartanburg, SC
• Sterigenics, U.S. LLC, Charlotte, NC
• DeRoyal Industries (Royal Sterilization Systems), New Tazewell, TN
• BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Madison, GA
• KPR U.S. LLC d/b/a/ Kendall Patient Recovery U.S. LLC, Augusta, GA
• Sterilization Services of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
• BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Covington, GA
• Lifenet Heatlh, Virginia Beach, VA
• Sterilization Services of Virginia (Henrico, VA), Henrico, VA
• American Contract Systems (Fort Myers Facility), Fort Myers, FL
• Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. Finishing, Ave Maria, FL
• International Sterilization Laboratory, Groveland, FL
• Medtronic Xomed, Jacksonville, FL
• American Contract Systems (Temple Terrace Facility), Temple Terrace, FL

If you have worked at any of the above or lived in close proximity to any of these facilities and are now suffering from cancer or other illnesses which are likely due to prolonged exposure to EtO we encourage you to reach out to our South Carolina law firm for a free consultation to see how we can help you. Our compassionate attorneys represent clients in toxic tort and environmental contamination cases, and we can help you determine who you can sue and what compensation you can get.

Many individuals move to South Carolina to retire or just relocate to somewhere warmer, and there is the possibility that you may have lived near, or worked at, a facility that used ethylene oxide somewhere else in the country. If this is the case, and you are now located in South Carolina, The Lovely Law Firm can help. We offer nationwide representation and multi-state practice capabilities, prepared to litigate and seek justice for individuals who are facing a cancer diagnosis because of exposure to EtO, regardless of what state the exposure occurred in. Some of the facilities located throughout the United States include:

• 3M Company – South Dakota
• American Contract Systems Inc. – California, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas
• B Braun Med Inc/Allentown – Pennsylvania
• Baxter Healthcare Corporation – Arkansas
• BD Medical/BD Pharmaceutical Systems – Utah, and Nebraska
• Blue Line Sterilization Services – California
• Boston Scientific – Rhode Island
• Cook Incorporated – Indiana
• Cosmed Group Inc. – New Jersey
• Cosmed Sterilization – New Jersey
• Covidien LP – Connecticut
• Customed, Inc. – Puerto Rico
• Edwards Lifesciences Technologies Sàrl – Puerto Rico
• Elite Spice, Inc – Maryland, and Nevada
• Ethicon, Inc. – Texas
• Fuchs North America – Maryland
• Guidant Puerto Rico, B.V. (dba Boston Scientific Puerto Rico) – Puerto Rico
• Jorgenson Labs Inc. – Colorado
• Lemco Ardmore – Oklahoma
• LivaNova – Colorado
• Long Island Sterilization – New York
• Medical Manufacturing Corporation – Pennsylvania
• Medline Industries – Illinois
• Medtronic – Minnesota, and Puerto Rico
• Midwest Sterilization Corporation – Texas, and Missouri
• North American Sterilization & Packaging Company – New Jersey
• Partner Medical Products Inc. – California
• Professional Contract Sterilization – Massachusetts
• St. Jude Medical CRMD – California
• Steregenics U.S. LLC – New York, California, Texas
• Steris Corporation/Steris Inc. – Massachusetts, Minnesota, and California
• Steritec, Inc. – Texas, and Puerto Rico
• Terumo BCT Sterilization Service, Inc. – Colorado
• Trigen Laboratories – Maryland

What Should I Do If I Think I Have an Ethylene Oxide Case?

If you suspect your cancer may be linked to ethylene oxide exposure, don’t wait. In South Carolina, there is a statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims, typically three years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the illness. Acting quickly can help preserve evidence and ensure your rights are protected. If you’re asking yourself “is it too late” to file, contact us immediately—time is critical in these cases. Contact The Lovely Law Firm for a free case consultation and we will help come up with the best course of action. We can review your medical history, assess potential sources of exposure, and advise you on the next steps, helping to determine if there is a direct link between your cancer and exposure to EtO from one of the above-mentioned facilities. Our proven attorneys will help you understand how long the litigation process will take, what your chances of success are, and how much your case is worth based on factors like medical expenses you can recover and potential punitive damages.

Many clients wonder “can I afford a lawyer” or worry about out of pocket costs. Our reputable firm handles these toxic tort cases on a contingency basis, so you pay no fees unless we successfully settle or win your case at trial. We also address concerns about workers compensation and insurance coverage interactions, ensuring you understand all your legal options.

Contact a South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Ethylene Oxide Exposure

The companies responsible for ethylene oxide emissions often fail to warn nearby residents about the potential health risks. As the Gary Walker case shows, even after installing emissions controls, Bard did nothing to prevent the release of fugitive EtO emissions of their sterilized products sitting in local warehouses. If you’re suffering the consequences of these companies’ negligence, you deserve answers and compensation. These defendants face significant liability, and our aggressive trial attorneys are prepared to hold them accountable and help plaintiffs recover maximum compensation including medical monitoring costs.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, leukemia, or another related illness, we’re here to stand by your side. Our successful legal representation has helped cancer victims and their families file meritorious claims and pursue justice. Call our South Carolina law office today to schedule a confidential case evaluation and begin the process of holding polluters accountable. We also handle wrongful death claims for families who have lost loved ones to preventable EtO-related cancers. Contact our licensed attorneys for a same-day response to discuss your compensable injuries and legal options.