The 10 Largest Personal Injury Cases
1. Philip Morris USA vs. Williams: In 2003, the Oregon Supreme Court awarded a $79.5 million judgment to the family of Jesse Williams for his lung cancer death due to smoking cigarettes from the company dating back to 1954. The decision was overturned on appeal in 2007, but not before it became one of the largest personal injury lawsuits in history.
2. Liebeck vs McDonald’s Restaurants: Stella Liebeck was awarded $640,000 in punitive damages from McDonald’s after sustaining third-degree burns from hot coffee she spilled on herself in 1992. The jury found that the restaurant chain was guilty of gross negligence for serving coffee at such high temperatures.
3. Ervin vs Johnson & Johnson: In 2013, a jury awarded $1.2 billion in punitive damages to six plaintiffs who alleged that the company’s baby powder had caused them to develop ovarian cancer due to asbestos contamination. The judgment was later reduced on appeal.
4. Frye vs Merck & Co.: In 2007, Merck & Co. was ordered to pay $253 million in compensatory and punitive damages after plaintiff Richard Frye developed a stroke while taking the company’s popular pain reliever Vioxx.
5. Dow Corning vs Women: In 1998, up to 10,000 women were awarded $3 billion by a jury due to their claims that the company’s silicone breast implants had caused them to develop autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and scleroderma.
6. Terrence Cottrell Jr. vs Archdiocese of Milwaukee: In 2003, a jury awarded $17 million to Terrence Cottrell Jr., who alleged that he had been molested by a priest at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The judgment was later reduced to $2 million on appeal.
7. Hayes vs Ford Motor Company: In 2004, a jury awarded $369 million to James and Joann Hayes after their son died from an accident in a 1997 Ford Explorer, due to the vehicle’s faulty design. The judgment was later reduced to $181 million on appeal.
8. Anderson vs American Home Products: In 2001, a jury awarded $10 million to Donna Anderson after her husband died of kidney failure due to the side effects of the diet drug Redux that had been prescribed to him by his doctor.
9. Merck & Co. vs Humeston: In 2006, a jury awarded $51 million to Robert and Carol Humeston after their son committed suicide while taking the company’s pain reliever Vioxx. The judgment was later reduced on appeal.
10. Stengel vs Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals: In 1991, Stephen Stengel was awarded $7.8 million after claiming that he had developed birth defects due to his mother’s ingestion of the drug Bendectin during her pregnancy with him in 1973. The judgment was later reduced on appeal.
Personal Injury Representation
These cases demonstrate how powerful the legal system can be when it comes to protecting the rights of those who have been wronged. If you think that you may have a valid claim for personal injury, it is important to contact an experienced attorney who can advise you on the best course of action. With the right legal representation, justice may be served in your case as well.
It is also important to remember that these cases represent some of the largest personal injury lawsuits in history, but that any amount of compensation is worth it when seeking justice.
The attorneys at Goldberg & Loren have experience representing clients who have suffered personal injuries in a wide variety of cases, from car accidents to medical malpractice. Contact us today by calling 1-800-731-4878 or fill out the form to find out if you may be entitled to compensation.
At Goldberg & Loren, we understand that no amount of money can truly make up for what you have been through. However, it is our mission to fight for your rights and ensure that justice is served.
