Pyrex Class Action Lawsuit Says Glassware Is Prone To Shattering

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Corelle Brands LLC and Corelle Brands Holdings Inc. have been hit with a Pyrex class action lawsuit alleging they switched the type of glass used to make its cookware products to one that is prone to shattering.

According to the Pyrex class action lawsuit, Pyrex glassware that is manufactured from partially tempered soda lime silicate glass is prone to shattering when exposed to temperature changes that reasonable consumers expect it to withstand based on the product’s history and the manufacturers’ representations about its durability.

Since 1919, Pyrex-brand glassware was advertised to consumers as “oven to ice-box” or “ice-box to oven” cookware because of its ability to withstand extreme temperature changes.

Pyrex was originally made of borosilicate glass, which can withstand a temperature differential of 333 degrees, the Pyrex class action lawsuit says. Starting around 1998, Corelle reportedly began manufacturing Pyrex glassware from tempered soda lime silicate glass instead of borosilicate glass.

“Consumers turn to Pyrex Glassware because of its reputation for sturdiness and versatility in the kitchen,” the Pyrex class action lawsuit states. “However, when partially heat-tempered soda lime Pyrex Glassware is exposed to a sudden change of temperature of approximately 99 degrees, it is susceptible to fracturing, breaking, shattering, or exploding.”

Such temperature fluctuations can occur during the baking process or simply by placing a hot Pyrex glassware item on a room temperature surface.

Plaintiffs Tricia Fullerton, Karyn Slepian, Claribel Grau and Jan Simon all claim that their Pyrex glassware shattered suddenly while they were using the glassware as it was intended to be used.

Corelle knew or should have known that cookware made with partially tempered soda lime silicate would be prone to shattering when exposed to temperature changes, yet the company continued to market, advertise and sell cookware under the Pyrex name, the plaintiffs allege.

They point to several Pyrex lawsuits that have been filed since 2005 by plaintiffs who suffered severe injuries after their Pyrex dishes broke. They also note that numerous complaints about shattering Pyrex glassware have been reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and are posted online.

The Pyrex class action lawsuit claims that Corelle failed to warn consumers that it changed the formulation of its Pyrex glassware and that it failed to recall the defective products even though it was aware that the product was prone to shattering and causing injuries.

The plaintiffs claim that they would not have purchased the Pyrex glassware, or would have paid significantly less for the product, if they had known that it was made with soda lime silicate glass that could not withstand temperature fluctuations.

The Pyrex class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs and a proposed Class of consumers in the United States who purchased or own Pyrex glassware manufactured from soda lime silicate glass. The plaintiffs also seek to represent Classes of consumers in New York, Florida and Michigan.

The plaintiffs are represented by Gregory F. Coleman, Adam A. Edwards and Mark E. Silvey of Greg Coleman Law PC; Edward A. Wallace of Wexler Wallace LLP; Paul C. Peel of Farris Bobango PLC; and by Daniel K. Bryson and Patrick M. Wallace of Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP.

The Shattering Pyrex Glassware Class Action Lawsuit is Tricia Fullerton, et al. v. Corelle Brands LLC, Case No. 1:18-cv-04152, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

UPDATE: On Nov. 7, 2018, consumers are fighting back against Corelle’s motion to dismiss the Pyrex shattering glass class action lawsuit.