Chicago Anchor Sues Over Rare Blood Disease

Back in 2017, FTVLive told you that WMAQ Anchor Rob Stafford missed over 6 months of work as he needed to undergo a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy to fight a rare blood disorder he was diagnosed with.

Now, Stafford is back at work and is suing the Chicago area facility of Sterigenics International, saying they are responsible for him getting the disease.

Robert Feder writes that in a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Stafford, 60, said he was diagnosed with amyloidosis after exposure to toxic levels of ethylene oxide from the plant. At the time he lived in Hinsdale and belonged to a sports club in Burr Ridge. Sterigenics’ sterilization process was found to have resulted in ethylene oxide emission, causing exposure in portions of Burr Ridge and Hinsdale.

Stafford’s lawsuit alleges negligence, willful and wanton conduct and ultra-hazardous activity, saying the defendants “had the ability to regulate the emissions of ethylene oxide” but instead failed to warn the public of the risk of their health, according to WMAQ’s website. His was one of 32 similar lawsuits filed last week against Sterigenics.

In a statement Sterigenics said it “has consistently complied with applicable regulations” and intends to “vigorously defend against” the claims.

An WMAQ spokesperson said the station does not comment about employees’ personal matters. “But I can confirm that Rob informed us about his intentions to file a lawsuit a couple of months ago,” the spokesperson added. “Since then, Rob has not been assigned to report on, or read, any stories involving Sterigenics. This practice will remain in place.”

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