(Xavier J. Peg ☠)For the last six years, appliance-maker Whirlpool has fought the prospect of class action lawsuits filed by the owners of early front-loading high-efficiency washing machines. When the Supreme Court declined to hear Whirlpool’s case for the second time earlier this year, actual suits could go forward. The case on behalf of Whirlpool washer owners in Ohio went to trial this month, and a jury found the company not liable. The trial lasted for three weeks, and the jury found that the appliance-maker wasn’t liable for defective product design or breach of implied warranty.