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Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Lawsuits
Nationwide Cancer Claims
At Rightful Legal, we know what it means to stand up to powerful corporations. For more than 15 years, Attorney Tracy Paulsen has built her reputation on holding negligent companies accountable when they put profits over people’s safety.
One of today’s most alarming public health issues involves ethylene oxide (EtO), a sterilizing gas that has quietly endangered workers and communities for decades. Families are now learning—sometimes years after exposure—that their cancer diagnoses may be linked to this toxic chemical.
Unlike some national firms that treat clients as case numbers, Rightful Legal offers local, personalized representation. We take the time to listen to your story, explain your rights, and fight for the justice your family deserves.
Exposed to Ethylene Oxide and Diagnosed with Cancer?
Contact Rightful Legal Today for a No Cost Confidential Case Review
What Is Ethylene Oxide?
Ethylene oxide is a flammable gas used to sterilize medical devices. The FDA reports that nearly half of all sterile medical devices in the U.S. rely on EtO. While useful, this chemical is also one of the most dangerous known carcinogens. Both the EPA and International Agency for Research on Cancer classify EtO as a human carcinogen.
At Rightful Legal, we believe families should never be forced to choose between access to safe medical devices and clean, safe air. Our mission is to ensure corporations take responsibility for the health consequences of their actions.
Health Risks of Ethylene Oxide Exposure
Living near or working in a sterilization facility may expose you to invisible but life-altering risks. EtO has been strongly linked to:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Leukemia and other blood cancers
- Breast cancer
Attorney Tracy Paulsen understands the medical, emotional, and financial toll of these diagnoses. At Rightful Legal, we don’t just build legal cases—we stand beside clients as they navigate treatment, loss of work, and the fear that comes with cancer. You are not alone in this fight.
Massachusetts Spotlight: Taunton Sterilization Facility
EtO contamination isn’t just a national problem—it is a Massachusetts problem. In 2024, the EPA announced a settlement with Professional Contract Sterilization, Inc. (PCS) in Taunton for failing to meet reporting and emissions standards.
If you lived, worked, or went to school near the Myles Standish Boulevard facility, you may have been exposed to unsafe levels of EtO. Rightful Legal is based here in Massachusetts—we know our communities, and we are prepared to fight for our neighbors who were placed at risk.
National Lawsuits and Verdicts
EtO lawsuits have resulted in significant jury verdicts, showing that courts are taking these claims seriously:
- Illinois (Sterigenics): $363 million jury verdict for a woman with breast cancer; company later settled for $408 million.
- Georgia (BD/C.R. Bard): $20 million awarded in 2025 to a resident with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Large verdicts like these demonstrate the strength of the science and the accountability juries expect from corporations. But every case is unique—which is why choosing the right attorney matters. At Rightful Legal, we combine national litigation experience with a personal, client-focused approach.
Why Choose Rightful Legal?
- Compassionate Representation: We know you’re more than a case file. Attorney Tracy Paulsen personally speaks with her clients and takes the time to understand their struggles.
- Proven Advocacy: With over 15 years of personal injury and toxic exposure litigation, Tracy has helped clients across Massachusetts recover life-changing settlements and verdicts.
- Local Commitment: Rightful Legal isn’t a national “mill” that passes cases off to anonymous firms. We are based here in Massachusetts, and we fight for our communities.
- No Fees Unless We Win: We work on contingency—you never pay out of pocket.
When corporations fail to protect public health, you need a law firm that cares as much about justice as it does about results. Rightful Legal is that firm.
Lived Near a Sterilization Facility and Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or Leukemia?
Contact Rightful Legal Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Who May Be Eligible to File an EtO Lawsuit?
You may qualify if you:
- Lived or worked near a sterilization facility for an extended period.
- Were later diagnosed with breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, or another related cancer.
- Can show potential exposure supported by facility records, EPA enforcement, or expert analysis.
Rightful Legal evaluates both community exposure cases and occupational exposure cases.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Compensation may include:
- Medical bills and treatment costs
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Loss of companionship for family members
- Wrongful death damages
Attorney Tracy Paulsen is relentless in pursuing maximum compensation. We know how insurance companies and defense lawyers minimize claims—and we don’t back down.
Filing Deadlines
In Massachusetts, toxic exposure lawsuits typically must be filed within three years. However, because EtO-related cancers may not appear until decades after exposure, the discovery rule often applies. This makes it crucial to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions for EtO Lawsuits
What cancers are most linked to EtO?
Breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia are most strongly associated.
Do I need air monitoring data to file a claim?
Not necessarily. Rightful Legal uses EPA records, expert analysis, and facility compliance histories to establish exposure.
Why not choose a larger national firm?
With many mass tort firms, clients rarely speak to their lawyer directly. At Rightful Legal, Attorney Tracy Paulsen works directly with her clients, ensuring you have personal attention, compassion, and strong advocacy.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If you or a loved one developed cancer after EtO exposure, you deserve a law firm that will put you first—not treat you like a number. At Rightful Legal, we provide the personal attention of a local firm with the experience and determination needed to stand up to corporations nationwide.
Call Attorney Paulsen Directly at 617-821-5856 or schedule a free confidential consultation online.
You don’t have to face this fight alone. Let Attorney Tracy Paulsen and Rightful Legal fight for you, your family, and your future.
