Court: Employers Can Be Liable for Negligence to Workers' Future Offspring

The Washington Court of Appeals said an employer may be liable for negligence toward workers' not-yet-conceived offspring. Case: Bauer v. Boeing Co., No. 87593-1-I, 05/18/2026, published. Facts: Thomas Bauer worked for Boeing Co. as an electrical installer. He was allegedly exposed to chemicals through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact that are capable of harming the unborn child and future offspring. While working at Boeing, Bauer and his wife had a baby in 2017. The child was born with permanent and disabling defects. Since the 1970s, peer-reviewed epidemiologic...