Sterigenics Lawsuit Atlanta

With over 400 lawsuits still pending and a landmark $70 million verdict in neighboring Covington, the pathway to compensation for ethylene oxide exposure continues evolving as new scientific evidence and legal precedents emerge.

While Sterigenics reached a $35 million settlement in October 2023 resolving 79 cases, opportunities remain for those not included in that agreement, with approximately 400 claims still pending against the company and its parent company Sotera.

Eligibility Requirements for New Claims

EPA monitoring data now confirms what residents have long suspected—cancer risks extend far beyond the facility’s immediate vicinity, with elevated ethylene oxide levels detected up to 3.5 miles away and property impacts documented within a 2-mile radius affecting 5,000 homes.

The Environmental Protection Agency classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen, establishing the scientific foundation for these claims.

Individuals who may qualify for compensation often share these common circumstances:

• Geographic Criteria: Primary impact zone within 1-2 miles (5,000+ properties affected), secondary zone 2-5 miles with documented EPA monitoring data, extended impact up to 15 miles based on air quality testing
• Exposure Timeline: Minimum one-year residence/employment between 1970s-present, with 20-year latency period for breast cancer and 10-30 year typical cancer development timeframe
• Medical Diagnoses: EPA-confirmed cancers include lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma, with increased risks documented in 2016 assessment showing 60x higher cancer potency than previously estimated
• Legal Timeframe: Georgia’s 2-year statute of limitations from diagnosis or discovery, with March 2026 trial date set for pending Cobb County cases

Time remains a factor in pursuing these claims, as Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases typically allows two years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the connection between exposure and illness.

Given the latency period between ethylene oxide exposure and cancer development, which can span decades, determining the appropriate filing deadline requires careful legal analysis.

Gathering Evidence for an Ethylene Oxide Exposure Claim

Building a strong environmental litigation case requires meticulous documentation (from decades-old utility bills to cutting-edge air monitoring data), as plaintiffs work to establish the invisible thread connecting corporate emissions to devastating personal health outcomes.

EPA data showing elevated cancer risks in communities surrounding the Sterigenics facility serves as powerful supporting evidence for individual claims.

Various forms of documentation can strengthen an ethylene oxide exposure claim:

• Residential Documentation: Property deeds, rental agreements, or utility bills proving residence within EPA-identified census tracts showing 100+ cancer risk per million
• Medical Records: Complete pathology reports, treatment history, and physician statements linking cancer to environmental exposure, particularly for cancers with documented EtO association
• Employment Verification: W-2s, pay stubs, or HR records for facility workers or nearby employees, with emphasis on duration and proximity to sterilization operations
• Environmental Data: EPA monitoring showing levels from 0.21 to 3.6 micrograms per cubic meter, Georgia EPD reports, and air quality test results from 2019-2025
• Property Impact: Cobb County tax assessments showing 10% devaluation for properties within 2-mile radius as of May 2020

The EPA’s own risk assessments have identified the area surrounding the Smyrna Sterigenics plant as having elevated cancer risks due to ethylene oxide emissions.

This regulatory acknowledgment, combined with air monitoring results showing emission levels far exceeding acceptable limits, strengthens the foundation for individual exposure claims and helps establish the connection between facility operations and community health impacts.

Damages in Ethylene Oxide Exposure Lawsuits

Recent verdicts demonstrate that juries increasingly recognize the true cost of corporate environmental negligence, awarding compensation that reflects not just medical bills but the entirety of what victims lose when preventable toxic exposure upends their lives.

Georgia law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages in toxic exposure cases, allowing plaintiffs to seek fair compensation for past and future losses, including lost wages from their inability to work during treatment.

Compensation in ethylene oxide cases may address various types of losses, such as:

• Medical Expenses – Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation averaging $50,000-$500,000+ based on cancer type and stage, with ongoing monitoring costs of $5,000-$15,000 annually
• Lost Earnings – Average wage loss calculations based on Georgia median income ($65,030), with total disability cases potentially exceeding $2 million over working lifetime
• Pain & Suffering – Non-economic damages typically 2-3x economic damages in Georgia toxic tort cases, subject to case-specific factors
• Property Devaluation – Documented 10% reduction by Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors affecting 5,000 properties, average loss $30,000-$50,000 per property
• Wrongful Death – Georgia statutory damages plus full value of life, with recent verdicts like the $70 million Gary Walker case in May 2025
• Medical Monitoring – Future cancer screening costs estimated at $2,000-$5,000 annually for high-risk individuals exposed

Settlement amounts in ethylene oxide exposure cases vary based on factors including cancer type, stage at diagnosis, age of the victim, and extent of treatment required.

The October 2023 settlement averaging approximately $443,000 per claimant provides a baseline reference, though individual cases may result in higher or lower compensation depending on specific circumstances and the strength of causation evidence.

If you or a loved one lived or worked near the Smyrna Sterigenics facility and developed cancer after exposure to ethylene oxide emissions, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit today.

Sterigenics reached a $35 million settlement in October 2023 to resolve 79 ethylene oxide exposure claims just days before the first Georgia trial was scheduled to begin in Gwinnett County State Court.

This agreement represents only a fraction of the total litigation, as approximately 400 additional cases remain pending in Cobb County, with trials for those claims expected to begin in late 2025.

Per Person Payout Estimates and Distribution Timeline

Behind every settlement figure lies a carefully orchestrated legal process that transforms a lump sum agreement into individual payments, with strict timelines and participation requirements that can make or break the deal for all involved parties.

This per-person amount aligns with settlements in similar mass tort environmental exposure cases, though individual payouts within the group may vary based on specific case factors.

The $35 million settlement follows a distribution process that involves:

1. Initial Agreement: Settlement reached October 16, 2023, requiring 100% participation from all 79 plaintiffs within 45-60 days
2. Documentation Phase: Release forms, tax documents, and dismissal papers processed through plaintiff attorneys (15-30 days)
3. Fund Distribution: $35 million gross settlement minus 33-40% attorney fees, resulting in net recovery of $265,000-$295,000 per claimant
4. Payment Timeline: Direct deposits or checks issued 60-90 days from agreement finalization, with structured settlement options available
5. Case Closure: Dismissal with prejudice filed preventing future claims, full releases for Sterigenics, Sotera Health, and related entities

Factors affecting individual settlement amounts within the 79-claim group likely mirror those in other toxic exposure cases, including cancer type severity, age at diagnosis, extent of medical treatment, and strength of exposure evidence.

While the company maintained its position that emissions never posed safety risks, the settlement allowed Sterigenics to avoid what it characterized as unfavorable evidentiary rulings in the Gwinnett County proceedings.

79 Claims Resolved in Georgia Settlement

The October 2023 settlement strategically resolved all claims scheduled for the first Georgia trial in Gwinnett County State Court, where Sterigenics expressed concerns about evidentiary rulings affecting its ability to present scientific defenses.

These 79 cases, all represented by the same plaintiff’s legal team, included the lead case that would have gone to trial on October 23, 2023, setting the tone for subsequent litigation.

The resolved claims shared common characteristics including (but not limited to):

• Representation by the same plaintiff’s law firm facilitating group negotiations
• Various cancer diagnoses linked to ethylene oxide exposure
• Residential or occupational exposure to emissions from the Smyrna facility
• Claims filed in Gwinnett County rather than Cobb County where the facility operates
• Pursuit of both compensatory and punitive damages against Sterigenics

This partial settlement leaves hundreds of additional claims pending in Cobb County State Court, where the company believes it will receive more favorable treatment of scientific evidence.

The remaining cases face a structured litigation timeline, with general causation hearings scheduled for October 2024, specific causation determinations in August 2025, and the first trials expected to begin in September or October 2025, creating a lengthy path to resolution for plaintiffs excluded from the initial settlement.

Environmental Protection Agency assessments reveal that communities surrounding the Smyrna Sterigenics facility face elevated cancer risks from decades of ethylene oxide emissions, with some census tracts showing risks exceeding 100 in 1 million.

The EPA and international agency classifications identify ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen based on extensive epidemiological and laboratory evidence demonstrating its ability to damage DNA and trigger various cancers.

Ethylene Oxide Emissions from the Smyrna Sterigenics Plant

For over five decades, an invisible plume of ethylene oxide (a powerful sterilizing gas) has drifted through Smyrna neighborhoods, carrying the same DNA-destroying properties that make it effective for sterilizing medical equipment—but with devastating consequences for human health when released into residential air.

While effective for sterilization, these same DNA-damaging properties pose serious health risks to humans exposed through air emissions.

Decades of facility operations have produced these documented emission patterns:

• Operational History: Continuous ethylene oxide use since early 1970s at 2971 Olympic Industrial Drive SE, with documented releases exceeding safe levels
• 2019 Shutdown: August 2019 voluntary closure for emission control installation, reducing emissions by 90% according to company claims
• Current Monitoring: Post-reopening tests showed 1,000% increase in EtO levels, with highest spike of 5,000% at Boyd Elementary School
• EPA Standards: March 2024 final rule requires 90% emission reduction and continuous monitoring at 90 facilities nationwide
• Persistence Factor: Ethylene oxide half-life of 1 month to 1 year in ambient air, allowing widespread community exposure

Ethylene oxide spreads from the facility through normal atmospheric conditions, with wind patterns and weather affecting concentration levels in different neighborhoods.

The gas remains airborne for months, creating prolonged exposure risks for residents who unknowingly breathe contaminated air during daily activities like walking, gardening, or simply being outdoors near their homes.

The Smyrna Sterigenics plant continues sterilizing medical devices using ethylene oxide despite community opposition and ongoing litigation, though the facility has implemented emission reduction technologies following regulatory pressure.

Located at 2971 Olympic Industrial Drive SE in an area zoned for heavy industrial use, the plant remains a source of concern for neighboring residents worried about continued potential exposure risks.

Current Status of the Smyrna Plant

Despite installing millions of dollars in emission control technology and facing unprecedented regulatory scrutiny, the Smyrna plant remains operational—a reality that frustrates residents who point to post-reopening air tests showing ethylene oxide spikes of up to 5,000% above shutdown levels.

Following increased scrutiny from regulators and the public, the facility underwent upgrades designed to reduce but not eliminate ethylene oxide emissions.

The facility has announced various operational modifications, including:

• Emission Controls: Advanced scrubber technology installed during 2019 shutdown, though effectiveness disputed by community monitoring
• Monitoring Requirements: Continuous emissions monitoring mandated by March 2024 EPA rule, with real-time data reporting
• Compliance Status: Operating under Georgia EPD permits while defending 400+ pending lawsuits, with regulatory compliance self-reported
• Alternative Methods: Industry maintains EtO remains preferred despite availability of hydrogen peroxide, radiation, and steam sterilization
• Federal Oversight: Subject to EPA reconsideration under Trump administration with 41 facilities granted exemptions in July 2025

The facility’s persistence in using ethylene oxide as a sterilizing agent reflects the medical device industry’s continued reliance on the gas for sterilizing heat-sensitive equipment.

However, communities argue that safer alternatives exist and that corporate profits should not take precedence over public health, particularly given the documented cancer risks associated with long-term exposure.

EPA Monitoring and Regulatory Actions

The regulatory landscape shifted dramatically in March 2024 when EPA finalized rules requiring a 90% reduction in ethylene oxide emissions, yet implementation challenges and political pressures continue to complicate enforcement efforts at facilities nationwide.

The EPA’s National Air Toxics Assessment identified the area around the plant as having elevated cancer risks from toxic emissions, prompting increased regulatory scrutiny.

Environmental agencies employ various monitoring and enforcement approaches:

• EPA Monitoring – Air sampling every six days at locations from quarter mile to one mile from facility, both upwind and downwind
• State Enforcement – Georgia EPD requiring quarterly compliance reports, with violations subject to fines up to $25,000 per day
• Federal Standards – March 2024 rule bringing maximum cancer risk to 100 in 1 million threshold once fully implemented
• Public Reporting – Mandatory Toxics Release Inventory reporting for 29 facilities using over 10,000 pounds EtO annually
• Community Engagement – EPA-mandated public meetings, with most recent updates showing ongoing community concern despite regulatory changes

Federal health administration officials through ATSDR have recommended that concerned residents talk with their doctors about health concerns related to ethylene oxide exposures.

Georgia EPD works in conjunction with federal environmental authorities to enforce emission limits and monitor compliance, though enforcement actions typically focus on future compliance rather than addressing past exposures.

The March 2024 EPA rules establishing stricter standards for commercial sterilization facilities represent progress, but affected communities continue pushing for more aggressive action including facility closure.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after living or working near the Sterigenics facility in Smyrna, the ongoing emissions and regulatory findings may strengthen your eligibility for legal action.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Sterigenics Lawsuit today.

EPA and medical research establish clear connections between ethylene oxide exposure and various cancers, with the agency noting that the chemical damages DNA in ways that can trigger malignant cell growth.

Long-term exposure at even low concentrations increases cancer risk, with children and individuals with genetic predispositions facing heightened vulnerability to ethylene oxide’s carcinogenic effects.

Symptoms of Exposure to Ethylene Oxide

The insidious nature of environmental ethylene oxide exposure lies in its silence—unlike acute industrial accidents that trigger immediate symptoms, chronic low-level community exposure operates as an invisible threat, accumulating cancer-causing DNA damage over years without warning signs.

The absence of immediate symptoms makes environmental ethylene oxide exposure particularly dangerous, as residents may unknowingly accumulate cancer-causing DNA damage over years or decades.

Exposure to ethylene oxide may manifest through various health effects:

• Acute Exposure (260+ ppm): Immediate respiratory irritation, severe headaches, nausea/vomiting, documented in occupational incidents where an employer exposed workers to high levels
• Chronic Low-Level Exposure: No immediate symptoms despite cancer risk, making environmental exposure particularly dangerous
• Neurological Effects: Memory loss, numbness, cognitive impairment reported in long-term workers per ATSDR studies
• Reproductive Impact: Animal studies show low fetal birth weight and urological abnormalities at occupational exposure levels
• Delayed Manifestation: Cancer latency periods varying from 0.4 years for lymphomas to 20+ years for solid tumors

The latency period between ethylene oxide exposure and cancer development typically spans 10-30 years, meaning residents exposed in the 1990s or 2000s may only now be experiencing health consequences.

This extended timeframe between exposure and diagnosis complicates both medical treatment and legal claims, requiring careful documentation of residential history and exposure timelines.

Breast Cancer, Leukemia, and Lymphoma Risks

Research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, tracking 18,000 workers over 62 years, has provided the most definitive evidence yet linking ethylene oxide exposure to specific cancers, recently completed in 2025.

The agency’s integrated risk assessment identifies non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and lymphocytic leukemia as having the strongest associations with ethylene oxide exposure.

Scientific studies have identified various cancer associations with ethylene oxide:

1. Breast Cancer Evidence: 2025 NIOSH cohort study showing higher cancer rates (specifically breast cancer rates) with 20-year lag period, strongest associations in longest-exposed workers
2. Lymphoid Cancers: EPA unit risk assessment showing up to 1 in 17 lifetime cancer risk for workers, with non-Hodgkin lymphoma most common
3. Dose-Response Data: Workers facing 100+ cancer risk per million with 35-year careers, residents with 70-year exposure at similar risk levels
4. Mechanism of Action: DNA alkylation process confirmed, explaining both sterilization effectiveness and carcinogenic properties
5. Population Studies: National Institutes of Health cohort finding associations with breast cancer in situ near emission sources

Ethylene oxide causes cancer through alkylation, a process where the chemical binds to and damages DNA, creating mutations that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

This mechanism of action explains why the chemical effectively kills bacteria during sterilization but also why it poses such serious risks to human health, as our cells use the same DNA structures targeted by ethylene oxide.

Settlement values in Georgia ethylene oxide litigation reflect the severity of injuries caused by long-term exposure, with the October 2023 agreement providing $35 million to resolve 79 claims.

Individual compensation varies substantially based on cancer type, treatment requirements, and exposure documentation, with settlements in similar mass tort cases ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per claimant.

$35 Million Settlement Breakdown

The mechanics of mass tort settlements reveal a detailed calculation where individual suffering gets translated into collective resolution, as demonstrated by the October 2023 agreement that required unanimous consent from 79 plaintiffs to unlock $35 million in compensation.

This group resolution avoided what would have been the first Georgia trial, allowing the company to sidestep potentially unfavorable evidentiary rulings in Gwinnett County court.

The October 2023 agreement includes various financial and legal provisions:

• Total Settlement Fund: $35 million for 79 Georgia claimants, part of larger $408 million multi-state resolution
• Per-Person Average: $443,038 gross recovery, compared to $464,000 in Illinois settlement for similar claims
• Payment Source: Sterigenics’ existing cash reserves, no insurance involvement disclosed
• Legal Framework: No admission of liability, full releases required, dismissal with prejudice preventing appeals
• Attorney Fees: Standard 33-40% contingency fees reducing net recovery to approximately $265,000-$295,000
• Distribution Timeline: 45-60 days for agreement completion, additional 30 days for fund disbursement

Legal fees and administrative costs typically consume 33-40% of mass tort settlements, meaning net recovery for individual plaintiffs likely ranged from $265,000 to $295,000 on average.

The settlement’s requirement for 100% participation ensured uniform resolution while preventing any plaintiff from pursuing individual trials that might have resulted in larger verdicts.

Expected Payout Per Person

A nationwide pattern of ethylene oxide settlements is emerging, with compensation ranging from modest five-figure property damage awards to the stunning $70 million verdict secured by Gary Walker in May 2025—creating a detailed framework of precedents that shapes negotiations for the 400+ cases still pending, where expert testimony plays a key role.

Settlements in the related Illinois Sterigenics litigation, which resolved for $408 million among 879 claimants from the Willowbrook plant, averaged approximately $464,000 per person, showing consistency across jurisdictions.

Settlement values across different jurisdictions have shown these patterns:

• Georgia Settlements: October 2023 agreement at $443,000 average, with Gary Walker’s $70 million verdict in May 2025 showing potential trial values
• Illinois Resolution: $408 million for 879 claims ($464,000 average) in 2023, including Willowbrook facility cases
• Individual Verdicts: Range from defense verdicts to $363 million for single plaintiff, demonstrating litigation risk/reward
• Workers’ Compensation: Limited to medical expenses and partial wage replacement, typically under $200,000 total
• Property Claims: Separate track with 10% devaluation basis, potential class action for 5,000+ affected properties

Timeline for receiving settlement funds following agreement finalization typically spans 60-90 days, allowing for processing of releases, calculation of individual amounts, and distribution through plaintiff attorneys.

Structured settlements may extend payment periods but can provide tax advantages for larger awards.

If you or a loved one lived within 2-5 miles of the Smyrna Sterigenics facility and developed breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancers linked to ethylene oxide exposure, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Sterigenics Atlanta Lawsuit today.

Factors Affecting Individual Compensation

The valuation matrix used in toxic exposure litigation transforms human suffering into mathematical calculations, where a 35-year-old mother’s breast cancer diagnosis carries different financial weight than a retiree’s lymphoma—disparities that reflect both legal precedent and the harsh economics of lost potential.

Breast cancer and leukemia cases requiring extensive treatment typically command higher compensation than less severe diagnoses, while younger victims with longer life expectancies often receive enhanced damages for future losses.

Individual compensation amounts may reflect various case-specific considerations:

1. Cancer Type & Stage: Stage IV cancers commanding 3-5x higher settlements than Stage I, with breast cancer and leukemia receiving premium valuations
2. Age at Diagnosis: Victims under 40 receiving 2-3x compensation due to lost life expectancy and earning capacity
3. Proximity Documentation: Residents within 1 mile for 20+ years presenting strongest causation, with values decreasing by distance
4. Alternative Causation: Absence of smoking history, genetic predisposition, or occupational risks strengthening claim value by 25-50%
5. Quality of Life Impact: Permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or inability to work multiplying base damages by factor of 2-4

The role of proximity to the facility and exposure duration proves particularly important in establishing causation, with plaintiffs living closest to the plant for the longest periods typically presenting the strongest cases.

Those who can document decades of residence within one mile of the facility, combined with cancers specifically linked to ethylene oxide by EPA research, position themselves for maximum recovery within settlement frameworks.

Our Ethylene Oxide Exposure attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing an Ethylene Oxide Exposure lawsuit, offering a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

With extensive experience in toxic chemical exposure cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders and medical experts to prove how released ethylene oxide from industrial facilities caused you harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for medical expenses, cancer treatments, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages resulting from your ethylene oxide exposure injuries.

We know the physical and emotional toll that ethylene oxide-related illnesses have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead Ethylene Oxide Exposure Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead Ethylene Oxide Exposure attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in toxic exposure and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring an Ethylene Oxide Exposure lawyer from TruLaw cost?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one developed cancer or other health problems after being exposed to ethylene oxide emissions from nearby industrial facilities, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ethylene Oxide Exposure lawsuit today.

Ethylene oxide exposure lawsuits are being filed by individuals exposed across the country who developed cancer and other serious health conditions after being exposed to industrial emissions of this toxic gas.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the ethylene oxide exposure lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your ethylene oxide exposure lawsuit include:

• If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The ethylene oxide exposure lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: We have decades of experience handling toxic exposure cases similar to the ethylene oxide exposure lawsuit.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one resided near the Sterigenics plant and were diagnosed with cancer after long-term ethylene oxide exposure, you may qualify to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine your eligibility to join others in filing an Ethylene Oxide Lawsuit today.