Trial Spotlight: Hinshaw Secures Complete Defense Verdict in $65 Million Product Liability Claim

A Hinshaw legal team led by partner Frederick Ufkes secured a complete defense verdict on behalf of client Sika Corporation in a three-week product liability trial.

Three plaintiffs had sought more than $60 million for injuries they claimed were caused by chemicals off-gassing from an epoxy floor installed in their garage. The installer had used two Sika products during the installation.

The defense team introduced evidence that components of the two products cured within 24 hours of installation and posed no hazard to the plaintiffs. The Hinshaw team also argued that there were other sources for the claimed emissions and that the levels to which the plaintiffs were allegedly exposed were insufficient to cause their claimed injuries.

The jury returned with a finding of no defect and no liability as to Sika and the installer. They also answered questions on causation, finding that none of the claimed injuries were caused by the alleged chemical exposures.

The case is Buqi Guo, Wenhai Guo and Zhaohuan Yang v. Sika Corporation and Premier Garage of Orange County, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 2021-1235631.

Media Coverage

"Buqi Guo, Wenhai Guo and Zhaohuan Yang v. Sika Corporation and Premier Garage of Orange County," Global Legal Chronicle, October 6, 2023 (subscription required)