Jury Awards 7.2 Million in ‘Popcorn Lung’ Case
It is unsettling how something as seemingly as innocent as microvwave popcorn may be very dangerous. In a recent case, Wayne Watson who ate two bags of popcorn each day for seven years filed a lawsuit against the parent company of the supermarket chain King Soopers and the producer that supplied the popcorn, claiming that years of inhaling the butter flavor aroma in the microwave popcorn damaged his lungs. He alleges that the butter flavoring in the microwave popcorn contains chemicals that vaporize when heated and inhaling this vapor can be linked to severe damage of the respiratory system.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, employees at microwave popcorn plants developed obstructive lung disease. Lung biopsies from those employees have shown constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans, condition in which the smallest airways in the lung become scarred and constricted, blocking the movement of air. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The condition is irreversible.
Watson began his diet of microwave popcorn in 2001 and stated that by the time he filed the lawsuit, in 2008, he was suffering from severe, permanent and progressive lung and respiratory system damage. The lawsuit revealed that the defendants, including microwave popcorn maker Gilster-Mary Lee Corp., were aware of research linking butter flavoring to lung and respiratory system damage. The jury awarded Watson $2.27 million in actual damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
In Tennessee and all across the United States, people face all kinds of injuries. Some of these injuries may be from defective drugs or products, exposure to certain materials or chemicals or even from automobile accidents. Often these cases arises from exposure in the workplace. Whatever the case, when you have been personally injured and this injury affects your life on a long term basis, then it is important that you speak to a Tennessee workers compensation lawyer as soon as possible. They will hear your case and see to it that you get the compensation you need for what you have been through
Tennessee residents and people all over the country suffer from all kinds of injuries. Injuries like the one in this case from a certain product occur all too often. If you or someone you care about has been injured after eating or using a certain product, then we strongly recommend that you contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee personal injury attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you to make sure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to for what you have suffered.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
