Wayne Watson, a suburban Denver man who was diagnosed with “popcorn lung”, has won a $7.2 million verdict against various food companies.
The Denver Post reports that Ken McClain, Watson’s attorney, said a federal jury granted the award against Gilster-Mary Lee Corp., The Kroger Co., and Dillon Companies Inc. after Watson developed respiratory issues in 2007.
Watson “previously settled claims against the flavor developer FONA International Inc.,” and argued that the companies failed to properly warn consumers that inhaling the buttery fragrance could put them at risk for lung complications.
KCNC-TV in Denver reports defense attorneys said that Watson’s lung problems stemmed from his years of working with carpet cleaning chemicals, not from popcorn.
