WILMINGTON, Del. — A jury in Delaware has awarded $9 million to the family of an Illinois man who succumbed to mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure, which the court said was a result of using asbestos-laden shotgun shells manufactured by DuPont Co. and its subsidiary.
The significant award marks one of the largest in recent memory for similar cases in the state. The plaintiff, Eugene Schoepke, passed away on March 27, 2022, due to complications from mesothelioma. His attorney, Thomas C. Crumplar, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the dangers related to asbestos in shotgun ammunition that had remained undisclosed for years.
“Accountability has been established for the family,” Crumplar said. The lawsuit also included Sporting Goods Properties Inc., the current name for the Remington Arms Company, which further complicates the case against the long-standing companies.
Court documents indicated that DuPont failed to inform consumers about the potential hazards posed by Peters and Remington brand shotgun shells, which contained asbestos. The lawsuit alleged that the companies not only neglected to warn hunters like Schoepke but also actively concealed the presence of asbestos in their products.
Historically, DuPont gained majority control over Remington in 1933 and manufactured asbestos-free shotgun shells until 1960. Despite the known risks associated with asbestos at that time, the lawsuit claims the company made a conscious decision to incorporate the hazardous material into its shells, while competitors opted for safer alternatives.
The lawsuit asserts that from 1980 onward, when Remington became a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont, the latter took full responsibility for the safety and manufacturing processes, further increasing its liability in the case. Evidence presented during the trial showed that DuPont had engineers onsite, ensuring the ascription of safety protocols within Remington’s operations regarding asbestos.
The shells were marketed as a joint product, with DuPont’s branding often taking precedence over Remington’s. This marketing strategy came at a time when DuPont was striving to project a reputation for safety, using green colors associated with secure products, misleading customers about potential risks.
Schoepke and other consumers relied heavily on DuPont’s reputation, unaware of the dangerous substances contained within the shotgun shells they purchased. Although production of asbestos-containing ammunition stopped in the 1980s, the lawsuit highlighted that no product recalls were issued, allowing these shells to remain on the market and continue to pose risks to users.
Trial proceedings began on July 8, and jurors deliberated for several days before reaching their verdict on July 23, affirming the family’s claims against both DuPont and its subsidiary.
This case underscores ongoing discussions about corporate accountability in the face of hazardous products and the responsibilities manufacturers have to inform consumers of potential risks associated with their goods.
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