Federal Court Certifies Ohio Consumer Class in Whirlpool Suit

CHICAGO - A federal judge has certified a class of Ohio consumers who allege that Whirlpool's negligent design of washers and its tortious failure to warn exposed users to mold and other hazards from poorly draining products. In re: Whirlpool Corp. Front-Loading washer Products Liability Litigation, No. 1:08-WP-65000 (N.D. Ohio).

But while Judge James S. Gwin of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio said in his July 12 opinion that plaintiffs can pursue negligence and failure-to-warn claims as a class, the judge declined to certify plaintiffs' Ohio Consumer Sales Practice Act claim as a class, saying …