The Clock is Ticking for Ohio C-8 Plaintiffs

A few weeks ago, we discussed plaintiff procrastination and the importance of filing your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.  For many people who have suffered because of exposure to the toxic chemical known as C-8, the risks discussed in our previous blog are now more real than ever.  The statute of limitations has already expired for certain C-8 plaintiffs.  If lawsuits are not filed soon, countless others injured by exposure to C-8 may lose their right to seek redress.

C-8 Litigation

In 2005, DuPont settled a class action lawsuit arising from its release of C-8, a chemical used to make Teflon, into Ohio and West Virginia water supply systems:

• Little Hocking Water Association in Ohio
• City of Belpre Water Supply in Ohio
• The Tupper Plains-Chester Water District in Ohio
• The Village of Pomeroy Water Supply System in Ohio.
• Lubbock Public Service District in West Va.
• Mason County Public Service District, West. Va.

There were two important components of that settlement agreement.  First, DuPont agreed to abide by the determination of a science panel whether C-8 caused certain specific types of injuries and/or diseases.

Second, DuPont agreed to “toll”—pause—the statute of limitations for injured plaintiffs until the science panel released their report for the injured plaintiffs’ respective injuries/diseases.  In other words, while the statute of limitations “clock” generally begins to run when an injury or accident occurs in personal injury and product liability cases, DuPont agreed that, for C-8 cases involving these water districts, an injured plaintiff would have two years from the date that the science panel reported a causal link between C-8 and the injured plaintiff’s disease.

C-8 Statutes of Limitations

If you consumed water from one of the above-listed water districts for at least one year prior to December 3, 2004, and you suffer or have suffered from ulcerative colitis or thyroid disease, you must act immediately to protect your rights.  Claims based on these illnesses are subject to a two-year statute of limitations that began to run on July 30, 2012.

If you meet the above conditions but suffer or have suffered from high cholesterol, your claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations that began to run on October 29, 2012.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to C-8 exposure, contact the Ohio C-8 attorneys at Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA for a free telephone consultation.  Follow us on Twitter @Lew_Law.