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Diacetyl Lawsuits Facts
TorHoerman Law is actively accepting claims for the Diacetyl Lawsuits.
Active Litigation
TorHoerman Law is actively accepting claims for the Diacetyl Lawsuits.
TorHoerman Law partners Jacob Plattenberger and Alan Holcomb, alongside co-counsel Scott Hall of The Law Offices of Scott Hall, secured a landmark $25 million verdict for Roland Esparza, who developed a severe lung injury that will require a double lung transplant after exposure to PAM cooking spray.
This verdict marks the first of potentially multiple cases linking the product to a fatal respiratory disease and sets a new record for diacetyl-related consumer verdicts.
The unanimous decision, delivered in Los Angeles Superior Court, found that Conagra, the manufacturer of PAM, failed to adequately warn consumers about the dangers of inhaling fumes from the cooking spray, which contained diacetyl – a butter-flavoring chemical known to be linked to serious respiratory illnesses.
While Conagra claimed that diacetyl was removed from PAM in 2009, the company did not provide sufficient evidence to support this claim.
Esparza, a previously healthy individual who used PAM cooking spray as part of his health-conscious diet, developed a debilitating lung condition after regular use.
His injuries were so severe that he now requires a double lung transplant to survive.
PAM was marketed by Conagra as “fat-free” and promoted as a healthier cooking alternative, further contributing to Esparza’s belief in its safety.
“This unanimous $25 million verdict delivers long-overdue justice to Roland Esparza, once a highly active individual who now faces a double lung transplant after Conagra deceptively marketed their PAM cooking spray as safe,” said Jacob Plattenberger and Alan Holcomb.
“The jury saw through decades of corporate wrongdoing and awarded the largest consumer verdict ever in a diacetyl lung injury case, more than triple the previous record and the first of its kind against Conagra for a consumer product. We fought for Mr. Esparza because no individual or family using PAM in their own kitchens should ever have to sacrifice their health for the sake of corporate profits, especially without ever being informed of the product’s dangers.”
This $25 million award is the largest verdict ever obtained in a diacetyl consumer case and represents a significant victory for individuals harmed by unsafe food products.
This is also the first time a consumer, rather than a worker exposed on the job, has successfully sued Conagra over lung injuries related to diacetyl exposure from PAM cooking spray.
The case is a critical development in the ongoing conversation in the United States regarding food ingredients, cooking safety, and consumer protection.
TorHoerman Law continues to advocate for those whose health has been put at risk by corporate negligence.
Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
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