Hogan Lovells, co-counsel win first ethylene oxide trial on behalf of B. Braun

Following a five-week long trial in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, a jury yesterday found B. Braun not liable on all counts in the case.

The plaintiff filed her case in May 2021, claiming her husband developed leukemia from exposure to ethylene oxide allegedly emitted from B. Braun's facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he worked for seven years. Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize medical devices.

"We are extremely gratified to have obtained this important victory on behalf of B. Braun, a company that manufactures life-saving medical devices," said Hogan Lovells partner Jennifer Adams, who led the Hogan Lovells trial team.

Today's jury verdict is a significant win for B. Braun and the medical device industry. Ethylene oxide is at issue in hundreds of other cases across the U.S.

Duane Morris LLP partner Sharon L. Caffrey and DLA Piper of counsel Kenneth A. Murphy served as local and co-trial counsel in the case.

In addition to Adams, the Hogan Lovells trial team included partner Cristina Rodriguez, senior associates Lee Whitesell, Blake Jenkins, associates Sophia Fang and Tom Greathouse, and tremendous support from Rose Ramos.

The case is Christopher Glass et al. v. B. Braun Medical Inc. et al., case number 210500315.