DiCello Levitt to co-lead in this multidistrict litigation along with attorneys from 18 other firms
DiCello Levitt’s founding partner Mark DiCello on May 17 was appointed to leadership in the national products liability litigation against baby food manufacturers and distributors Walmart Inc., Gerber Products Co., and four other defendants, alleging that their products are contaminated with toxic metals causing infants to develop autism spectrum disorder and other severe health conditions.
Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California appointed Mark and 18 attorneys to leadership roles in this multidistrict litigation impacting thousands of children and their parents.
While the MDL In Re: Baby Food Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3101)currently consolidates legal actions filed in six states, Mark states thousands more claims will be filed on behalf of children across the United States. The lawsuits followed a 2021 House of Representatives Oversight Committee investigation that found that the defendants’ baby food products were highly contaminated with heavy metal toxins, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
“While parents put their trust in the high-quality standards of baby food manufacturing, our lawsuit alleges baby food manufacturers skipped quality and food safety controls to reduce production costs and increase their profit margins. As a result, thousands of infants have been harmed to the utter dismay of their parents, so many of whom harbor incredible guilt that they couldn’t keep their children safe,” Mark said.
“It is more than overdue, to shine the light of justice on the baby food industry and expose their role in causing childhood disorders including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other severe health issues. I am deeply grateful that Judge Scott Corley has given me this opportunity to fight for so many of our kids.” Mark added.