Robins Kaplan LLP is pleased to announce that partner Philip Sieff has been honored as the “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Minnesota Association for Justice (MAJ). This prestigious award, presented at the MAJ Annual Convention, recognizes Sieff’s groundbreaking work in litigation against manufacturers of aerosol dust removers.
In April 2024, Sieff was co-lead counsel and secured a landmark $7.75 million verdict against CRC Industries for its failure to prevent the foreseeable misuse of its aerosol dust remover products. This case, which was the first of its kind to go to trial, followed the 2019 death of Cynthia McDougall, who was killed in a vehicle crash after an individual who huffed CRC Duster struck her car head-on. Aerosol dust removers, like CRC Duster, are commonly abused to get "high." When inhaled, users experience dramatic impairment effects from the chemical used as a propellant. The case underscored the well-known risks associated with these products and CRC Industries’ neglect in preventing such abuse.
Sieff has also led additional lawsuits across multiple states, including Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, and Oregon, representing more than a dozen clients who were either severely injured or lost a loved one due to "dusting." These cases have resulted in significant settlements for affected families and driven changes in product safety standards.
Beyond his courtroom achievements, Sieff actively mentors younger attorneys and contributes to public awareness initiatives focused on the dangers of inhalant abuse. His leadership and dedication to public safety have made a lasting impact on the legal community and beyond.
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