Consider the following:
Linda Green began her career as a health care worker in 1978, following hospital rules that required her to wear protective gloves while attending pa- tients. For more than a decade she wore nearly 40 pairs of cornstarch powdered latex gloves, made by Smith & Nephew (S&N), during every shift. In 1989, Green began su?er- ing various health problems: her hands became red, cracked, and sore, and began peel- ing. No matter what she did, the rash continued, and eventually spread to her upper trunk and neck. She began experiencing chronic cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes.
Green's symptoms grew increasingly severe, eventually culminat- ing in an acute shortness of breath, coughing, and tightening of the throat. In the mid- 1990s experts began to understand that some people become "sensitized" to latex through allergic reactions. Subsequent exposure may cause the person to develop progres- sively worse reactions, including irreversible asthma.
Occasionally hypersensitivity may trigger anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening reaction to even a small exposure. Once she understood her own reaction to the gloves, Green sued S&N.
What kinds of lawsuits might she bring? What will she have to prove to win? How might S&N defend itself?
Internet Assignment Find out what happened in this suit. Green v. Smith & Nephew AHP, Inc., 629 N.W.2d 727 (Wis. 2001).