‘Smelly Washer’ Case Heads to Trial; Plaintiffs Must Prove All Washers Have Defect

A rare class-action trial began Oct. 7 in one of the “smelly washer” cases against Whirlpool Corp., part of consolidated litigation alleging mold develops in some front-loading washing machines (In re Whirlpool Corp. Front-Loading Washer Prods. Liab. Litig. (Glazer v. Whirlpool Corp.), N.D. Ohio, 1:08-wp-65001, order on scope of proof 10/6/14).

The trial involves a certified class of Ohio purchasers of certain Whirlpool Duet front-loading washing machines with an alleged design defect that causes the machines to grow mold and emit unpleasant odors.

The certified class is limited to liability questions, and, if the plaintiffs win, damages ...