October 09, 2005

The Associated Press is reporting that nineteen plaintiffs who sued in Jasper, Missouri, alleging lung damage from exposure to diacetyl, the artificial butter flavoring in popcorn, have settled their cases. Four cases were tried to a jury for a total of $53 million in verdicts against the manufacturers, who protest that it was the employer's responsibility to follow safety instructions, but the defendants had success in demonstrating fraudulent joinder and were able to remove the other cases to federal court. No details on what's been settled and for how much. Our coverage: Jun. 30, 2004, Mar. 28, and Jul. 20; see also the Overlawyered letters column, May 7, 2004.