The lawsuits, which have now expanded to around 75 cases, claim that B. Braun used ethylene oxide at its facility since the late 1980s. Over the years, the chemical received numerous cancer designations, including from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2016. Plaintiffs argue that B. Braun accounted for nearly all ethylene oxide emissions in Pennsylvania in 2014 and contributed significantly to the chemical’s release in the U.S.
According to the lawsuits, people living and working near the plant had an increased risk of developing cancer, with some alleging their chances were 200 times higher than the state average. The cases were consolidated for pretrial motions in October 2021, with Glass’s case being the lead. Other lawsuits are scheduled for trial in 2025.
Counsel for the plaintiffs did not respond to requests for comment after the verdict. B. Braun is represented by Brittany C. Armour, Jennifer Adams, and Blake Jenkins of Hogan Lovells, along with Kenneth Murphy of DLA Piper LLP and Sharon L. Caffrey of Duane Morris LLP. The plaintiffs’ team includes Shanin Specter, Frank Mangiaracina, Aaron L. Dunbar, Benjamin O. Present, and others from Kline & Specter PC.
