Cases in 2014

Below are summaries of our trials from 2014.

John Santillan, Henry Goring, Charles Patterson v. Crane Co., Douglas Insulation Company, Inc., Golden Gate Drywall, Inc., Georgia-Pacific, LLC., Thomas Dee Engineering Company, J.T. Thorpe & Son, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Asbestosis – Plumber – Machinist Mate – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during jury selection, in excess of $400,000 as to all case defendants
December 2014

Damon & Sondra Leeper v. CertainTeed Corporation; TIMEC; et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda County (Pleasanton Branch)
Judge: Hon. Julia Spain
Trial Type: Retired Plumber/Welder – Mesothelioma – Negligence/Products Liability – Loss of Consortium
Case resolved as to all case defendants at the conclusion of Plaintiffs’ case in chief in excess of $7,000,000
November – December 2014

Richard Lund v. CertainTeed Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Products Liability- Negligence-Smoking Lung Cancer
Case Resolved during plaintiffs case-in-chief: in excess of $399,000 as to all case defendants
November 2014

Paula Tarjani, Robert Karpuk, Leola Starks, et al. v. J.T. Thorpe & Son, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. Newton Lam
Trial Type: Wrongful Death – Asbestosis – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during trial motions in limine in excess of $350,000
November 2014

Oldrich Harrison et al. v. Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc., Borg Warner Morse TEC Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda
Judge: Hon. Jo-Lynne Lee
Trial Type: Wrongful Death – Paraoccupational- Lung Cancer – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved after trial motions in limine in excess of $300,000
October 2014

Robert & Linda Whalen vs. John Crane, Inc.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda (Hayward), California
Judge: Hon. ia Kolakowski
Trial Type: Negligence – Products Liability – Mesothelioma
Verdict: $70,861,113
September – October 2014

Robert W. Cressy, as Personal Representative for the Estate of Verla Juanita Cressy v. C.H. Murphy/Clark-Ullman, Inc., et. al
Civil Jury Trial
Circuit Court: Portland, Oregon
Judge: Hon. Kathleen Dailey
Trial Type: Product Liability – Negligence – Wrongful Death – Asbestosis
Case resolved after motions in limine in excess of $175,000
September 2014

Donald Fields v. Asbestos Corp. Ltd., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. Marla Miller
Trial Type: Personal Injury­­­ Lung Cancer
Total aggregate settlements = over $463,000
September 2014

Milan Bacoka v. Durametallic Corporation, General Electric Company, Warren Pumps LLC., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. Garret Wong
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Lung Cancer – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved after trial motions in limine in excess of $400,000
September 2014

James Kraemer v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. Richard Ulmer
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Mesothelioma- Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during trial motions in limine in excess of $500,000
September 2014

Donald and Asta Shackles v. C. Overaa & Co., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda
Judge: Hon. Julia Spain
Trial Type: Personal Injury Asbestosis and Asbestos Related Pleural Disease
Case resolved against the final defendant, C. Overaa & Co. minutes before plaintiffs’ opening statements
Total aggregate settlements = $326,050
August – September 2014

U.S. Navy Admiral Beverley Lowe(ret.); James Mack; Kerry O’Brien v. General Dynamics Corp. et al.
Civil Jury Trial
United States District Court – Northern District of California, San Francisco Division
Judge: Hon. Charles R. Breyer
Trial Type: Product Liability/Negligence – Personal Injury – Asbestosis/Pleural Disease
Cases resolved during the bifurcated jury trial of the Government Contractor affirmative defense in the plaintiffs’ cases in chief in excess of $650,000 as to all defendants.
August 2014

Steve A. Brinkman v. Gypsum Wallboard Supply, Inc. et al
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Seattle, Washington
Judge: Hon. Catherine Shaffer
Trial Type: Product Liability – Negligence – Personal Injury – Asbestosis
Case resolved after Jury Selection: Excess of $100,000
August 2014

Willie Brown v. Conoco Phillips Company, Flowserve US Inc., Milwaukee Valve Company, Tosco Corporation, J.T. Thorpe & Son, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. Garret Wong
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Lung Cancer – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during plaintiff’s case in chief in excess of $900,000
August 2014

Trinidad Almendarez v. Owens-Illinois, Inc, Sequoia Ventures, Fluor Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles
Judge: Hon. Randy Rhodes
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Asbestosis- Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during motions in limine in excess of $200,000
August 2014

Raymond & Carol Byrum v. BorgWarner Morse TEC Inc. et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County – Long Beach Branch
Judge: Hon. Peter Mirich
Trial Type: Products Liability and Negligence – retired welder with lung cancer
Case resolved as to all defendants at start of jury selection in excess of $350,000.
August 2014

Sandra Self v. Taub-Co Management, Inc. et al
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda (Hayward), California
Judge: Hon. ia Kolakowski
Trial Type: Negligence-Contractor -Smoking Lung Cancer
Mr. Self’s passed away during plaintiffs’ case-in-chief: settlements in Excess of $1,050,000
July – August 2014

Gloria McClain, et al. v. Asbestos Corp. Ltd., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco
Judge: Hon. John K. Stewart
Trial Type: Wrongful Death­­­ Mesothelioma
Case resolved during plaintiffs’ case in chief
Total aggregate settlements = $8,284,933
July 2014

Larry Schuler v. Alcoa Inc., Conagra Grocery Products Co., Metalclad Insulation Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles
Judge: Hon. Patrick Madden
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Asbestosis- Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during trial motions in limine in excess of $250,000
July 2014

Tajie Major v. Lorillard Tobacco Company, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Los Angeles Superior Court
Judge: Hon. Amy Hogue – Dept. 322
Trial Type: Wrongful Death – Product liability/Negligence – Lung Cancer from using Kent and Newport brand cigarettes
Verdict: $17,736,700 (Jury Poll 12-0)
June – July 2014

Perry Williams v. The Scott Company of California, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda, California
Judge: Hon. Jo-Lynne Q. Lee
Trial Type: Products Liability- Negligence-Contractor -Smoking Lung Cancer
Case Resolved after Voir Dire: Excess of $200,000
June 2014

David Lorenzen v. Nacco Materials Handling Group, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda
Judge: Hon. Julia Spain
Trial Type: Personal Injury­­­ Mesothelioma
Case resolved as to all case defendants in excess of $1.2 million during trial ­verdict for Nacco Materials Handling Group, Inc.
May – June 2014

Kenneth Ellingsen, et al v. Goodman Lumber, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Products Liability- Negligence-Asbestosis
Case resolved after Opening Statements: Excess of $260,000
May 2014

Charles F. Peterson, et al v. San Francisco Gravel, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Products Liability- Negligence-Pleural Disease
Case Resolved after Opening Statements: Excess of $230,000
May 2014

Charles Fannin (Stationary Engineer); David Gerecke (Marine Machinest); John Giraudo (Laborer); Gloria McClain (Tommy McClain – Insulator); Guadalupe Ramirez (Marine Electrician); Edward Schlimmer (Pipefitter) v. Bath Iron Works Corporation; General Dynamics Corporation; et al.
Civil Jury Trials – 7 Consolidated Cases
United States District Court – Northern District of California
Judge: Hon. Charles R. Breyer and William H. Orrick
Trial Type: Personal Injury (Asbestosis/Pleural Disease) and Wrongful Death (Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer) Maritime Law
All cases resolved at commencement of jury selection in excess of $7,250,000 as to all defendants.
May 2014

Otis Glover v. Pacific Bell Telephone Company, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Products Liability- Negligence-Asbestosis/Pleural Disease
Case Resolved after Voire Dire: Excess of $230,000
April 2014

SF Group 622 v. CBS Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Products Liability- Negligence-Asbestosis/Pleural Disease
Cases Resolved during Motions in Limine: Excess of $300,000 group total.
April 2014

Kenneth Sawyer et ux v. CertainTeed Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Alameda County – Pleasanton Branch Superior Court
Judge: Hon. Julia Spain
Trial Type: Products Liability/Negligence/Contractor Liability – Personal Injury/Loss of Consortium – Fire Sprinkler Fitter – Lung Cancer
Case resolved after jury selection at start of Opening Statements in excess of $1,500,000 as to all case defendants.
February – April 2014

John Gossett v. Vanderson Construction, Inc. et al.
Civil Jury Trial
San Francisco Superior Court
Judge: Hon. Marla Miller
Trial Type: Negligence – Personal Injury – Asbestosis/Pleural Disease
Case resolved at the start of jury selection in excess of $350,000 as to all case defendants
March 2014

Allen Kulikoff v. Alta Building Materials, Amcord, Inc., Pacific Coast Building Products, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. John Stewart
Trial Type: Personal Injury- Asbestosis- Plasterer- Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved after motions in limine in excess of $240,000 as to all case defendants
March 2014

Richard Sheffield v. Cooper Brothers, Inc., Douglass Insulation Company, Inc., Scott Co. of California, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Teri Jackson
Trial Type: Wrongful Death–Lung Cancer- Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved prior to motions in limine in excess of $215,000 as to all case defendants
March 2014

Robert Lovett et al. v. Owens Illinois, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: King County, Washington
Judge: Hon. Helen Halpert
Trial Type: Wrongful Death – Mesothelioma – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved prior to motions in limine in excess of $1,265,000 as to all case defendants
March 2014

Emma Ragan, Angelina Phelan, Sandra Phillips, Louisa McCoy et al. v. General Electric Company, Owens Illinois, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Mally Taylor
Trial Type: Wrongful Death – Cancer – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during motions in limine in excess of $600,000 as to all case defendants
March 2014

Richard Musgrave, Edward Lee, Gordon Lemos, James Harkin v. General Electric Company, General Plumbing Supply Company, Inc., Georgia Pacific LLC, Truitt and White Lumber Co., Calportland Company, Oscar E. Erickson, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. John Stewart
Trial Type: Personal Injury- Asbestosis- Laborer – Hod Carrier – Welder – Boiler Maker – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during jury selection in excess of $670,000 as to all case defendants
March 2014

Gary Kase v. Armstrong International, Crane Co., Foster Lumber Yard, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Goulds Pumps, Inc, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Mally Taylor
Trial Type: Personal Injury- Asbestosis- Pipefitter – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved after jury selection in excess of $335,000 as to all case defendants
February 2014

Carroll Cline v. Albay Construction Company, Crane Co., Dillingham Construction, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Oscar E. Erickson, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Mally Taylor
Trial Type: Personal Injury- Asbestosis- Steamfitter – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved after jury selection in excess of $700,000 as to all case defendants
February 2014

Patrick Farley v. Armstrong International, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Mally Taylor
Trial Type: Personal Injury- Asbestosis- Boilermaker – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during motions in limine in excess of $340,000 as to all case defendants
February 2014

Janeen Kempton et al v. Flowserve US Inc., Goulds Pumps, International Truck & Engine Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Salt Lake City, Utah
Judge: Hon. Skancy
Trial Type: Wrongful Death- Lung Cancer – Millwright- Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during pre-trial conference in excess of $145,000 as to all case defendants
January 2014

Vicky Wolley et al v. Rich-Tex, Inc., Pacific Coast Building Products, Inc., Union Carbide Corporation, et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Newton Lam
Trial Type: Wrongful Death- Lung Cancer – Paraoccupational – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during motions in limine in excess of $200,000 as to all case defendants
January 2014

Dezirae Hall et al v. Rich-Tex, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Newton Lam
Trial Type: Wrongful Death- Lung Cancer – Drywall Finisher – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during opening statement in excess of $490,000 as to all case defendants
January 2014

Janeen Kempton et ux. v. Flowserve US, Inc. et al.
Civil Jury Trial
3rd Judicial District Court – Salt Lake County, Utah
Judge: Hon. Randall N. Skanchy
Trial type: Wrongful Death Negligence/Products Liability – Mechanic/Line Supervisor – Lung Cancer
Case resolved after final pre-trial conference in excess of $250,000 as to all defendants
January 2014

Sam Hasty et al. v. Georgia-Pacific LLC, Lamons Gasket Company, Oscar E. Erickson, Inc., et al.
Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Hon. Lynn O’Malley Taylor
Trial Type: Personal Injury – Lung Cancer – Negligence and Products Liability
Case resolved during jury selection in excess of $375,000 as to all case defendants
December 2013