Landmark Legal Victory: Rueb Stoller Daniel Secures $70 Million Verdict for Georgia Cancer Victim in Ethylene Oxide Case
In a monumental courtroom win that signals a turning point for environmental justice in Georgia, the law firm Rueb Stoller Daniel has secured a $70 million verdict on behalf of Gary Walker, a Covington resident whose cancer was found to be caused by decades of exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) emitted by a nearby sterilization facility operated by Bard—now part of Becton Dickinson (BD).
This historic verdict, reached in Gwinnett County Superior Court, is the first of its kind in the state and sends a clear message: corporations will be held accountable when they endanger public health for profit.
The Heart of the Case: A Fight for Accountability
Gary Walker, a 75-year-old retired truck driver, spent most of his life living within a few miles of Bard’s sterilization facility. After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Walker became one of hundreds of Georgia residents who began to question the safety of the air they had breathed for decades.
“This wasn’t just negligence—it was a betrayal of public trust,” said Stephen “Buck” Daniel, lead trial attorney and partner at Rueb Stoller Daniel. “The science is clear. The risks were known. And Bard chose to look the other way while an entire community was left in the dark.”
Throughout the trial, Daniel and his legal team presented expert testimony, environmental data, and internal corporate communications showing that Bard had long been aware of the carcinogenic properties of EtO and the elevated exposure levels near their facility—but failed to take adequate action or issue proper warnings.
About Rueb Stoller Daniel: Champions for the Underserved
With offices across the United States, Rueb Stoller Daniel is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in complex mass tort litigation, personal injury, and environmental toxic torts. The firm is known for taking on some of the most challenging and high-stakes cases involving pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and polluters. Their mission is clear: to provide aggressive, compassionate, and client-centered representation to individuals harmed by corporate misconduct.
Breaking the Mold: Jury Awards $50 Million in Punitive Damages
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the $70 million verdict was the jury’s decision to award $50 million in punitive damages—a bold rejection of Georgia’s traditional $250,000 cap. The jury found that Bard’s actions constituted an egregious breach of public trust and acted with such willful disregard for human life that they were compelled to send a message.
While the $50 million punitive damages award will be retried due to procedural requirements under Georgia law, the jury’s original finding reflects the seriousness of the misconduct and the power of community-driven justice.
“This wasn’t just about compensating one man,” said Daniel. “This was about holding a billion-dollar corporation accountable for a half-century of deception and harm. And the jury made it clear: no company is above the law.”
What Comes Next?
This case is only the beginning. Hundreds of additional lawsuits are pending in Georgia and other states involving EtO exposure, many involving residents who lived near similar sterilization facilities.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after living near a medical sterilization facility—or if you suspect environmental toxins may have played a role in a serious illness—it’s time to take action.
Contact Rueb Stoller Daniel today at 1-866-CALL-RSD to schedule a free case evaluation. Your voice matters. Your story deserves to be heard. And justice, as this landmark verdict shows, is possible.
