Motorola Must Face Birth-Defect Negligence Trial, Court Rules

An Illinois appellate court ordered a new trial Thursday to determine if Motorola Solutions Inc. was liable for birth defects that allegedly occurred because of toxic chemicals at a company facility.

Two children of Motorola workers asserted negligence and willful and wanton misconduct charges against the tech company, claiming their birth defects were caused by their fathers having been exposed to reproductively toxic chemicals and gas while employed at a Motorola semiconductor manufacturing facility in Texas. A circuit court of Illinois, where Motorola maintains its headquarters, dismissed the cases against Motorola.

The Illinois Appellate Court, First District reversed those decisions. ...