Illinois Injury and Mass Tort Lawyer Blog

Published on: March 25, 2026

‘Cancer Alley’ Lawsuit Reversal sets Precedent for other Toxic Torts

wal_172619-factory-7285676_640-e1773531351648 Last year, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a case involving dangerous industrial development in Inclusive Louisiana v. St. James Parish. The plaintiffs in the case were Inclusive Louisiana, Mount Triumph Baptist Church, and RISE St. James (two faith and community-based organizations and a church). They sued St. James Parish, the Parish Council, and the Parish Planning Commission claiming civil rights and constitutional violations related to discrimination by the Parish against them; the Parish directed dangerous industrial development toward majority-Black districts and Black churches, which also desecrated and limited access to their enslaved ancestors’ cemeteries. If you were harmed by hazardous industrial development, call the seasoned Chicago-based toxic torts lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved, all around the country.

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In the case, the residents of St. James Parish, which is located in an 80-mile stretch of industrial corridor called “Cancer Alley” alleged that local land-use decisions resulted in a disproportionate share of petrochemical facilities in communities that were majority-Black. St. James Parish was divided into numbered districts. Most residents in the Fourth and Fifth Districts of the Parish are Black, while most residents in the Third and Seventh District are white.

The Parish has also had about two dozen large industrial facilities within it. Twenty of the facilities were allowed in the majority-Black Fourth and Fifth Districts, but no new industrial facilities were allowed to locate in the majority-white parts of the Parish over the last 46 years.

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Published on: March 24, 2026

Goals in the FDA’s Human Foods Program 2026

By Moll Law Group

ccipeggy-grocery-store-2619380_640-e1773530069664 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its goals for 2026 when working to promote the health of Americans with its Human Foods Program (HFP), which is a vital part of the implementation of the “Making America Healthy Again” program, advanced by the Trump Administration and the HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. The federal government is focused on the crucial role of food and nutrition in health. If you were harmed by dangerous food or additives, you should call the Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in the cases with which we’ve been involved around the country.

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The FDA regulates around 80% of the country’s food supply. The HFP looks over all activities connected to nutrition and food safety with an eye toward making sure that food goes toward wellness and health of the American public. The program looks at chemicals in food, reduction of diet-related chronic disease and foodborne illness.

The HFP has multi-year initiatives to the end of promoting American Health through nutrition. Some of these initiatives are concerned with removing petroleum-based dyes from food, review a range of food additives and ban them if they’re unsafe, and comprehensively review infant formula nutrient requirements.

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Published on: March 17, 2026

FDA Assesses BHA

By Moll Law Group

molnarszabolcserdely-potato-chips-7637285_640-e1772988886495 The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently launched a major reassessment of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), which is a common chemical preservative that is sometimes added to food. In order to reassess whether BHA is safe to use in food and as a food contact substance based on scientific information, the FDA issued a request for information on the use of BHA. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has said that BHA has been identified by the National Toxicology Program as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on animal studies. If you were harmed by a chemical additive like BHA, you should consult seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. We represent clients across the country, and billions have been secured in lawsuits with which we’ve been involved.

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The FDA has instigated a strong program to go over the chemicals that are currently in the food supply. BHA was identified as a top priority for this program. Kennedy has stated that if BHA doesn’t meet “gold standard science for its current uses” it will be removed from the food supply—he also said that they would continue cleaning up other additives to try to reduce children’s exposure. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has said that once the BHA assessment is completed, a similar assessment will be launched to review butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and azodicarbonamide, which is used to condition dough and found in yoga mats. The Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Kyle Diamantas, assured the public that the post-market assessment of BHA reflects a proactive food safety approach.

In 1958, the FDA listed BHA as Generally Recognized as Safe. In 1961, it was approved as a food additive to stop fats and oils from spoiling. Today, it is found in potato chips, breakfast cereals, cookies, candies, ice cream, frozen meals, and meat products. The use of BHA has gotten lower in recent times, but it is still in food products like those marketed to kids. Health advocates have raised the possibilities that BHA is unsafe. It has previously been recommended for reassessment.

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Published on: March 10, 2026

5 out of 6 Americans Are Concerned About Chemical Safety

By Moll Law Group

jonaskim-faucet-3240211_640-e1772988436732 A national survey conducted by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the global market research and public opinion firm Ipsos found that more than 70% of adults around the country are concerned about their own or the loved ones’ exposure to dangerous chemicals found in food, drinking water, food packaging, farmland, and children’s products. Around 5 in 6 Americans want businesses and government authorities to take more steps to improve chemical safety and increase transparency about chemical use. If you suffered environmental injuries due to chemical exposure, you should call the Chicago-based toxic tort lawyers of Moll Law Group. We represent clients across the country, and billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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The Pew and Ipsos survey was conducted between October 10, 2025 and October 17, 2025. There were 5357 adult subjects. Results were high across self-identified demographic categories. Those who agreed that the government should do more to control chemical safety included 90% of those who didn’t identify politically, 88% of Democrats, 89% of liberals, 85% of moderates, 77% of conservatives, and 79% of Republicans.

The purpose of the survey is to reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system, which produces hormones that affect human development like puberty, metabolism, childhood development, immunity, and reproduction. Certain chemicals increase the likelihood of multiple health impacts including infertility, preterm birth, reduced sperm quality, impaired brain development, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. These chemicals are found everywhere—in food, drinking water, construction materials and consumer products. Almost everyone in the country has detectable levels of chemicals in their bodies; these commonly found chemicals include phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and some flame retardants.

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Published on: March 3, 2026

IKM Recalls Product Due to Potential Health Danger

By Moll Law Group

grill-500547_640-e1769901385507 A San Jose, California-based manufacturer of cookware items, IKM, is recalling certain pots and pans, because they might be contaminated with significant lead levels, which can get into consumers’ food. Lead is toxic and can impact people of any age or health; no level of exposure to lead is considered safe. If you believe you suffered lead poisoning due to IKM products, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved around the country.

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The recalled items are the IKM aluminum saucepan wooden handle 9 inches (56 pieces); the A-cook Aluminum Kadai size 5 (43 pieces); the brass tope (10 pieces), and the IKM 4-quart Pital brass pot (9 pieces). No illnesses have been reported to date.

However, even low levels of lead exposure can result in significant health problems, especially in fetuses and children because of their rapid growth, metabolism, and smaller body size. When the levels of lead are lower, there may not be clear symptom, but the child may still struggle to learn and to suffer from low IQ and behavioral issues. When lead levels are high, the symptoms can include neurological changes, stomach pain, headache, and fatigue.

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Published on: February 23, 2026

A Nestlé Infant Formula Recall Was Expanded to More than 50 Countries After Testing

By Moll Law Group

baby-6823431_640-e1769900986959 Recently, Nestlé expanded its recall of infant and follow-on formula, after concerns about a heat-resistant toxin, cereulide, emerged, to over 50 countries. Cereulide can cause food poisoning. While no illnesses have been reported in connection with recalled products, parents are still warned to look out for symptoms. The recall impacted a range of infant nutrition products. If you believe your infant became sick because of Nestlé infant formula, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved. We represent plaintiffs around the country.

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Infant formula and follow-on formula were initially recalled after Nestlé’s testing discovered, during routine self-monitoring, that part of the production line had suspected Bacillus cereus contamination. Additional testing occurred and they found that cereulide, which is a toxin produced by specific strains of Bacillus cereus, was found in one of the raw materials, arachidonic acid oil (ARA), along with oil mixes containing ARA, that were used to produce the formula.

These findings caused Nestlé to expand the recall’s scope to include more products and additional countries where the facilities may have used that ingredient.

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Published on: February 16, 2026

Clorox Agrees It Will Pay $14.15 Million Civil Penalty

By Moll Law Group

cleaning-bucket-1290940_640-e1769900771559 Recently, Clorox agreed it would pay a $14.15 civil penalty for knowingly failing to immediately report a bacterial hazard—a defect that could create a substantial product hazard of generated an unreasonable danger of serious injury or death— with Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaning Products. If you suffered harm as a result of using certain Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaning Products, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. We represent plaintiffs around the country, and billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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In 2019, Clorox microbiologists put out a written report documenting bacterial contamination in finished product and storage tanks, which they specified was “possibly a Pseudomonad.” After that, the company got reports that certain products in stores were cloudy. Similarly, a distributor notified the company of the same problem in multiple locations. While Clorox took steps to mitigate the potential for bacterial contamination, Clorox did not immediately report to the Commission as required.

CPSC suggested that the proposed settlement sent the message that firms that delayed in reporting serious risks would risk paying significant penalties.

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Published on: February 9, 2026

Navitas Organics Voluntarily Recalls Certain 8 oz. Organic Chia Seeds Lots

By Moll Law Group

chia-seeds-2 Recently, Navitas Organics voluntarily recalled certain lots of 8 oz. organic chia seeds based on potential contamination with Salmonella. The recall is part of precautions taken after the company’s chia seed supplied initiated a recall. The affected chia seeds were distributed across the country through Whole Foods Market and other stores, including online stores like Amazon. If you suffered harms due to Navitas organic chia seeds, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved across the country.

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The recall of Navitas Organic Chia Seeds UPC 858847000284 affects these lot codes, which are printed on the back of the sealed chia seed pouches:

- W31025283 – Best If Used By: End APR 2027
- W31025286 – Best If Used By: End APR 2027
- W31025287 – Best If Used By: End APR 2027
- W31025311 – Best If Used By: End MAY 2027
- W31025314 – Best If Used By: End MAY 2027
- W31025315 – Best If Used By: End MAY 2027
- W31025316 – Best If Used By: End MAY 2027
- W31025317 – Best If Used By: End MAY 2027

Other Navitas Organics products have not been impacted by the recall.

Salmonella is an organism that can result in significant and even fatal infections in those with weak immune systems, youth, and frail or elderly people. But even health people who get infected with Salmonella can experience symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever. Occasionally, the organism can enter the bloodstream and produce more serious illnesses.

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Published on: February 3, 2026

Mamisan Lidocaine Ointment Containers Are Recalled by Plantimex

By Moll Law Group

self-care-6886590_6401 On December 18, 2025, Plantimex, the manufacturer, recalled Mamisan lidocaine ointment containers because of a risk of serious injury or death from child poisoning, resulting from a violation of the mandatory standard for child-resistant packaging. The Poison Prevention Packaging Act requires that lidocaine be in child-resistant packaging to prevent the possibility of a young child swallowing it. If your child was harmed by lidocaine ointment, call the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group about whether you have grounds to sue. Billions have been recovered in litigation with which we’ve been involved.

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Around 50,330 units of Mamisan Pain Relieving Topical Ointment jars with the UPC code 860006498115 were recalled. The 3.52-ounce plastic jar that holds the ointment is orange. It has a white continuous thread lid with the Mamisan trademark printed on top of the lid and label. There is also a wraparound label that has instructions and facts printed on it.

If you purchased one of these jars, you’re advised to secure the recalled jars out of children’s sight and reach. You can get a free child-resistant replacement lid from Plantimex. The product can continue to be used once the replacement lid has been put into place.

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Published on: January 26, 2026

Tesla Recalls Nearly 13,000 Vehicles Based on a Battery Pack Defect

By Moll Law Group

car-8607713_640 Recently, Tesla recalled certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y cars that could lose the capacity to accelerate while driving, due to a battery pack defect that could cause sudden power loss. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pointed out that this raises the risk of crashes in a notice it issued about the recall. If you were injured in a Tesla and believe that it was based on a battery pack defect, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in product liability litigation with which we’ve been involved. We represent clients around the country.

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The recall covers 5,028 2025 Model 3 vehicles made between March 8-August 12, 2025, as well as 7,925 2026 Model Y vehicles that were built between March 15-August 15, 2025. The NHTSA has said that around 1% of the recalled vehicles are estimated to carry the defect.

The problem with the vehicle is that the battery pack contactor is made with an InTiCa solenoid that may suddenly open because of a bad coil termination connection. When the contactor opens while the vehicle is being driven, the driver won’t be able to apply torque to the vehicle using the accelerator pedal. This can cause a loss of propulsion, which in turn may increase the crash risk.

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