Plant worker handling diacetyl awarded $814,500 for 'popcorn lung'

A plant worker won an $814,500 judgment in Baltimore County Circuit Court after claiming he contracted a rare lung disease known as "popcorn lung"from breathing diacetyl, a chemical used to make food taste buttery.

A jury awarded Brian Hallock $5.4 million last month from Polarome International Inc., a New Jersey-based chemical manufacturer and distributor. But a judge said Friday she would reduce the amount because Maryland has a cap on non-economic damages, Hallock's attorney confirmed Tuesday.
Kenneth B. McClain, the lawyer, advised Hallock not to speak publicly about the award because he is challenging the cap, set at $350,000. Polarome's lawyers said they couldn't comment on an ongoing case.