Lawyerly mold

Tell us again what it is that smells here;

Michigan-based Whirlpool Corp has been found not liable by a U.S. jury in the first lawsuit to go to trial accusing the company of selling front-loading washing machines containing a design flaw that made them prone to developing mold.

The jury cleared Whirlpool following a three-week trial in federal court in Ohio, according to lawyers for approximately 150,000 residents in that state who were part of the class action against the company.

Almost none of those 150,000 actually seems to have had a problem with their washing machines, so Whirlpool decided to fight.

In a statement, Eric Sharon, a litigation counsel at Whirlpool, called it a major victory for the company. “While other companies might have opted to settle this case out of court, Whirlpool firmly believed in the rule of law and that the facts were in our corner.”

Which won't stop the lawyers who think they smell contingency fees;

A lawyer for the plaintiffs, Jonathan Selbin, said he was disappointed with the verdict and intends to appeal. He noted in an email to Reuters that it was the first of what would likely be dozens of trials over the machines.

“Until Whirlpool takes responsibility for selling defective washers, the fight will continue,” he said.

Unless the law firm runs out of money, that is.