The horrific risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol are widely known. But people who abuse the commonplace products used for "huffing" — such as 3M's dust remover — can be equally as dangerous behind the wheel. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident by someone under the influence of Dust-Off®, you may be eligible for compensation through a lawsuit.
Why File a Dust-Off Lawsuit
A woman from Duluth, Minnesota knows firsthand how devastating the consequences of "huffing" can be, after an intoxicated driver who inhaled aerosol keyboard cleaner hit her in his car, paralyzing her.
With the help of Dust-Off lawyers, the Duluth woman is suing the manufacturer of the compressed air spray, 3M. The company warns users against "huffing" the product, however, some lawsuits claim that their deterrents have been unsuccessful and insufficient.
Those who have been harmed in a car accident caused by this dangerous product may not realize that they may be able to seek financial compensation through a Dust-Off lawsuit.
Recent News About Dust-Off
In the last few years, multiple Dust-Off lawsuits have made headlines. Below, learn more about recent news and discoveries surrounding the dust remover spray.
- The Duluth woman and her Dust-Off attorney are suing the product manufacturer 3M, claiming that the company knew their methods for deterring "huffing" would be unsuccessful. The woman must live out the rest of her life confined to a wheelchair due to someone else's inhalant abuse.
- In Wisconsin in 2018, four people tragically lost their lives because of an impaired driver who was abusing inhalants. The victims were three Girl Scouts and a mother picking up trash on the side of the highway.
- The Poison Control Center in Hennepin County, the most populated county in Minnesota, receives approximately 300 calls every year about inhalants.
- According to a study conducted by researchers at Poison Control, teenagers in the U.S. abused more than 3,400 different products through inhalation over a fifteen-year period.
Inhalant abuse continues to be a dangerous and even fatal issue across the United States — and innocent people are paying the price.
Who Is to Blame?
Many abused inhalants contain the chemical difluoroethane (DFE), which offers a quick and inexpensive high that can be addictive.
3M dust remover cans have warning labels and an added bittering agent to deter "huffing" and other misuses. However, it is suspected that the bitterant doesn't work, and lawsuits claim the additive doesn't ever leave the can.
The Dust-Off attorney representing the Duluth woman states, "[the bitterant] was not being released with the vapor spray, but was rather just sitting at the bottom of the can because it didn't mix correctly with the vapor."
Others who have been injured as a result of Dust-Off abuse may also be able to file their own legal claims against 3M or other negligent companies.
Legal Help — Dust-Off Lawsuit
Sokolove Law is currently investigating cases involving auto accidents caused by Dust-Off misuse.
If you were injured or if a loved one was injured or killed in a car accident caused by someone under the influence of compressed air dust remover spray, you may wish to file a legal claim against the product manufacturer or other responsible parties. If you have a case, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injuries and suffering.
To learn more about your options, contact Sokolove Law today. Our Case Managers are standing by to listen to your story and answer your questions.
