Lead Poisoning Lawsuit: Suppliers Reach $305M Settlement

Lead Poisoning Lawsuit: Suppliers Reach $305M Settlement

Introduction

A 19-year legal struggle ended with three former makers of lead paint agreeing to pay $305 million to settle lead paint lawsuits brought by several communities of California.

The lead paint settlement was disclosed in a filing in Santa Clara County Superior Court on July 17, according to which defendants Sherwin-Williams, ConAgra Grocery Products Co. and NL Industries agreed to pay out the sum over six years, starting with a $75 million payment later this year. The allegations stated that the paint suppliers knew how dangerous lead contained in their products, but hid that data from the public. An initial verdict was passed in 2014, ordering the companies to pay $1.1 billion in damages, which was later overruled in 2017 stating that they could only be held responsible for lead paint in housing that predates 1951.

The settlement would benefit the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solana, and Ventura. The cities of Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco are also included. Similar lawsuits have been filed against lead paint manufacturers other states, including Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.