Home Depot has recently been named in a class action lawsuit in federal court in Chicago. In October of 2021, a number of injury lawsuits were filed against the home improvement giant, Home Depot (H.I. Depot). The lawsuits name several specific individuals who have claimed injuries as a result of working on projects at the home improvement giant.
Home Depot Class Action Lawsuit
In most of the lawsuits filed in Chicago, plaintiffs claim that they developed permanent and serious nerve and back problems after using certain paints, paint thinners, and other chemical additives at work at Home Depot stores. In many of the cases, plaintiffs have also named Home Depot itself, stating that the company was aware of the dangers of using the toxic paints and thinners, yet did nothing to protect their employees’ or prevent them from using them. In many instances, according to the lawsuits, H.I. Depot did not warn its employees about the danger of the paint thinners.
As stated by the complaint, most of the plaintiffs’ claims pertain to injuries occurring while working at the Home Depot stores in Chicago. However, it is also alleged in the class-action lawsuit that similar injuries occur at other large retailers who use H.I. Depot paint thinners. It is also claimed that Home Depot failed to properly train its employees about the dangers of using these products, allowing some of them to become careless about their use, leading to injuries. In addition, the complaint also names H.I. Depot itself, stating that the company knowingly advertises to homeowners that using methylene chloride, chlorinated water, and other toxic chemicals will help to maintain their home’s “fresh look”.
Methylene chloride is commonly used in the home improvement industry as an ingredient in painters’ airbrushing, floor finishers, and floor surfacing products. Chlorinated water is used as a solvent in cleaning products, hair color, and industrial products. The complaint further states that since these ingredients are harmful if ingested, they should not be used in a home. The risk of long-term health hazards is especially true for children who can be easily enticed to squeeze or otherwise swallow the paint thinners. No matter how careful a homeowner may be with regard to the use of these products, the risk of injury is still present. The Class Action lawsuit argues that because Home Depot knew that its products were dangerous, its employees should have been more careful during their work but did not take any precaution against these dangerous products.
Home Depot could not prove that their employees were aware of the dangers of their product, so they did not have a liability case to win. However, the court did not agree with Home Depot’s argument that it was not a negligence case because they had merely intended to use safer products. Instead of a class action settlement, the plaintiffs are seeking a judgment against Home Depot for all damages. Some of the additional benefits that the plaintiffs are seeking include lost wages, medical expenses, permanent damage to the plaintiff’s mental and physical condition, and pain and suffering. These types of cases can become quite complicated due to the sheer number of parties involved. Therefore, the filing of a lawsuit is not done lightly, but is often an attempt to get the compensation that is due to you, the victim.
If you want to seek a home improvement class action lawsuit settlement, the first step is to locate a Home Depot attorney. You can usually find them by asking your local phone book or doing an online search. Once you have selected a few attorneys to discuss your case, you should meet with them to discuss the details and to discuss your case and potential settlement offer. A top class action lawsuit settlement deal will be one that offer the victim a lump sum settlement, but also allows for regular payments to be made over a period of time. The settlement amount and frequency of payments will vary according to the state and the merits of your case.
