07/26/2010 // WPB, FL, USA // Nicole Howley // Nicole Howley
Chicago, IL—Motorola is facing a four-count lawsuit filed by a group of former employees who claim the toxic substances used to manufacture Motorola products caused serious birth defects in their children. Seventy-one plaintiffs who claim negligence, abnormally dangerous and ultrahazardous activity, willful and wanton conduct and loss of consortium against Motorola filed the lawsuit in the Cook County Circuit Court, reports the Chicago Sun Times.
The plaintiffs assert that at least 30 children born to workers who were employed by Motorola since the 1960s have birth defects. The children of the former employees suffer from physical and developmental disabilities, which include cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, sterility and brain malformations. In addition, many of the affected children suffer from physical or skeletal deformities, including two children who were born with a missing ear.
The lawsuit contends that Motorola was aware that the chemicals they used to make semiconductors and computer chips in sterile “clean rooms” are toxic and could result in birth defects of children born to people who have came into contact with the chemicals. In addition, the lawsuit claims that Motorola “knew or should have known about the potential hazards, citing a 1986 study by IBM and John Hopkins University showing workplace exposure to the chemicals, solvents, metals and other compounds could cause serious reproductive harm.”
The plaintiffs claim that Motorola allegedly failed to provide protective gear to its employees in the “clean rooms,” where the chemicals were ultimately recirculated through the air.
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.
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