SF Jury Delivers Verdict of $3.4 Million in Colon Cancer Asbestos Trial
A San Francisco jury delivered a $3.4 million verdict in favor of Brayton Purcell's client, Ralph Pierce, a 70-year old retired machine operator suffering from colon cancer due to his on-the-job exposure to asbestos.
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 2, 2005 -- A San Francisco jury delivered a
plaintiff’s verdict of over $3.4 million for Ralph Pierce, a 70–year old retired
machine operator and supervisor suffering from colon cancer from his on–the–job
exposure to asbestos products (Ralph Pierce v. Certainteed Corporation, San
Francisco Superior Court, #408642). The amount was for economic and non–economic
damages as well as for past and future medical expenses. Judge Mary Wiss
presided over the 5–week trial.
Mr. Pierce was employed with the West
Contra Costa County Wastewater District from 1972 through 1997. During this
time, he worked with asbestos–containing cement pipe manufactured by the
defendant, Certainteed Corporation. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003.
Internal company documents showed that Certainteed Corporation knew of
the dangers of asbestos since before the mid–1960s when company representatives
attended symposia presented by Dr. Irving Selikoff concerning the cancer risks
posed by asbestos. Their knowledge pre–dated Mr. Pierce’s exposure to
Certainteed asbestos products by more than seven years—-plenty of time to warn
people of the asbestos dangers. Despite this, Certainteed never gave warnings
about asbestos until 1985, long after Mr. Pierce had suffered exposures.
The jury found that Certainteed Corporation made defective cement pipe
and failed to warn Mr. Pierce that it contained asbestos or was hazardous. It
concluded that Mr. Pierce’s exposure to the pipe was a cause of his colon
cancer.
“We are thankful that Mr. Pierce got the opportunity to present
his case in court,” said Gilbert L. Purcell, Mr. Pierce’s attorney. “The verdict
shows at least two things—that trials work, and that access to courts is
essential to achieve and maintain corporate accountability. Without the courts,
companies can duck responsibility for their wrongful conduct. The legislative
‘one–size–fits–all’ asbestos bailout bills that are presently in Congress work
injustice in ways that juries can check, as was done in this case. The public,
which is comprised of innocent individuals like Mr. Pierce, wins with access to
courts.”
Mr. Pierce was represented at trial by asbestos lawyers Gilbert
L. Purcell and Alex Remick of Brayton Purcell.
About Brayton
Purcell
For over 20 years, Brayton Purcell has helped clients protect their
legal rights in the face of devastating losses such as illness, injuries, and
harm to family members. The law firm enjoys a national reputation for the high
quality of its personal injury and product liability work, particularly in the
area of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers.
For more information,
call 415-898-1555 or visit our firm web site at http://www.braytonlaw.com.
For legal, legislative and medical news about mesothelioma and other asbestos
cancers, see our specialty web sites, Asbestos Network at http://www.asbestosnetwork.com and Mesothelioma Network at http://www.mesotheliomasite.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb247029.htm