Researchers have found a “probable link” between the toxic chemical C8 and many health conditions, including high cholesterol, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), and more. Many people who have suffered these injuries are now seeking justice by filing an individual C8 lawsuit against DuPont, the company that leaked C8 into the drinking water in West Virginia and Ohio.
UPDATE: DuPont Hit with 965 C8 Injury Lawsuits
June 17, 2014 — The Charleston Daily Mail reports that DuPont has been hit with 965 personal injury lawsuits involving C8, a toxic chemical that contaminated drinking water in the Mid-Ohio Valley for decades. Click here to read more.
November 11, 2013 — Federal judges have ordered that 46 personal injury lawsuits involving C8 will be centralized in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Click here to read more.
January 22, 2013 — DuPont has requested that 26 personal injury lawsuits be transferred to federal court for centralization in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL). Click here to read more.
October 29, 2012 — The C8 Science Panel has found a “probable link” between C8 exposure and high cholesterol. People who were exposed to C8 and developed high cholesterol may be entitled to compensation by filing a C8 lawsuit against DuPont. Click here to read more.
October 24, 2012 — Three personal injury lawsuits have been filed against DuPont on behalf of people who suffered from kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis after exposure to C8. The number of lawsuits is expected to continue growing as more people seek justice for their injuries. Click here to read more.
What is C8?
C8 is a chemical also known as perfluorooctanoate acid, or PFOA. It is a processing agent involved in the manufacturing of Teflon and other non-stick cooking surfaces, water-resistant clothing, oil-resistant paper packaging, and other products. Massive amounts of C8 were used at DuPont’s Washington Works plant, which is located in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
Unfortunately, large amounts of C8 were emitted from the plant, which contaminated groundwater in West Virginia. DuPont also disposed of large amounts of C8 in landfills along the Ohio River, which contaminated drinking water in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Who was exposed?
Tens of thousands of people were exposed to C8 in Ohio and West Virginia. Many of these people have already taken part in a class action lawsuit. If exposed people develop certain health conditions, they may also be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit.
You may have been exposed to C8 if you drank contaminated water for at least one year before December 3, 2004, in any of the following six water districts (or private wells within these districts):
- Little Hocking, Ohio
- Lubeck Public Service District, West Virginia
- City of Belpre, Ohio
- Tuppers Plains, Ohio
- Mason County Public Service District, West Virginia
- Village of Pomeroy, Ohio
It does not matter where you currently reside — you may be eligible for compensation if you drank the water in any of these areas for at least one year. Many people have already filed C8 lawsuits, and the litigation is still growing.
C8 Class Action Lawsuit
DuPont has already agreed to settle a massive C8 class action lawsuit involving more than 70,000 people who drank contaminated water in Ohio and West Virginia. There were many conditions of the settlement. DuPont agreed to phase out the use of C8 and install a state-of-the-art water treatment facility. Today, levels of C8 are almost undetectable in the drinking water.
DuPont also agreed to create a panel of three epidemiologists to investigate “probable links” between C8 exposure and health complications, such as cancer and birth defects. The panel has found many “probable links.”
Another condition of the settlement is that people who were injured by C8 can hire a lawyer to represent them in an individual personal injury claim against DuPont. The individual claims are separate from the class action lawsuit. If you were injured by C8, you may still be able to seek justice and compensation for certain health problems.
Side Effects of C8 Exposure
Epidemiologists have found “probable links” between C8 and many severe, life-threatening side effects. These side effects include:
- High cholesterol
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)
- Preeclampsia — high blood pressure (hypertension) among pregnant women
- And more
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