A federal lawsuit has been filed against pharmaceutical company Merck by attorneys Matt Griffith and Parker Miller on behalf of the Sullivan family from Georgia. The suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, alleges that toxic chemical exposure at Merck’s Flint River Plant in Albany led to the death of the Sullivans’ daughter, Saville, from brain cancer.
The Flint River Plant produced medications such as Zocor and Prilosec. The complaint claims that the facility’s chemical processes released hazardous byproducts into the environment. According to the lawsuit, Merck did not adequately contain or dispose of these chemicals, resulting in their release into the air, water, and soil. The attorneys state that both workers and local residents were exposed to these substances without sufficient warning or protection.
Colleen Sullivan, who worked at the plant in the late 1990s while pregnant with her daughters Saville and Lilia, is at the center of the family’s claim. The lawsuit asserts that Colleen was unknowingly exposed to dangerous chemicals during her pregnancy. In 2016, both daughters were diagnosed with rare and aggressive brain cancers within weeks of each other. Saville died in October 2023 at age 26 after years of medical treatment.
The Sullivan family contends that Colleen’s exposure during pregnancy caused the cancers and is seeking legal redress for their loss.
"We are deeply honored to represent the Sullivan family in their pursuit of justice. Their courage in sharing their story shines a light on the urgent need for accountability and reform."
The case raises broader questions about corporate responsibility in managing toxic chemicals and protecting workers and nearby communities. It may influence how courts address similar cases involving toxic exposure, particularly for pregnant workers and their children.