• Our Beliefs

  Our basic philosophy is simple—to provide our clients with excellent representation and service…more

• National Board of Trial Advocacy

  In May 2000, Mr. Purcell was certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. The only national certification program for trial attorneys, the National Board of Trial Advocacy was established in 1977 to identify those attorneys that have the experience and skill necessary to be specialists in their chosen area of trial expertise.

Gil Purcell: Selected Trials

Brayton Purcell is the most active trial firm on the west coast. As lead counsel, Mr. Purcell has tried numerous asbestos personal injury actions and other cases representing injured or victimized people, winning over $150 million in verdict awards for clients.

The following list includes information about many of Mr. Purcell’s trials from 1985 to the present. It is updated regularly.

Joseph Zink v. Jacuzzi, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: John Stewart
Trial Type: Negligence—Products Liability—Pump Packing and Gaskets—Colon Cancer/Asbestosis
Case Settled at Jury Selection: Excess of $750,000 as Against All Defendants
July 2010

Thomas and Victoria Olson v. Pacific Coast Building Products, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, CA
Judge: John Stewart
Trial Type: Colon Cancer—Negligence—Product Liability—Asbestos Pipe Supply
Case Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $900,000 as to All Defendants
June, 2010

Vickie Warren v. Georgia Pacific; Hamilton Materials and Union Carbide Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Salt Lake City, Utah
Judge: Glenn Iwasaki
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Peritoneal Mesothelioma—Product Liability—Negligence
Verdict: $5,256,818.61
April–May 2010

Christopher Bakkie; Charles Bakkie v. Union Carbide Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Charlene Padovani Kisselbach
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Mesothelioma
Verdict: $1,000,000 (non–economic damages as personal injury verdict including all economic damages—see Sept 2006 below—fully satisfied pre–trial)
February–March 2010

Al Samuelson v. Amcord, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County
Judge: Ricardo A. Torres
Trial Type: Lung Cancer—Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $1,000,000 as to All Defendants
December 2009–January 2010

Mareta Ryan, et ux. v. Gardner Denver, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Gail DeKreon
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Lung Cancer—Products Liability—Negligence
Case Resolved After Plaintiffs Opening Statement: Excess of $150,000 as to All Case Defendants
December 2009

Bernice Cox, et ux. v. Leslie Controls, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Gail DeKreon
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Mesothelioma—Product Liability—Negligence
Case Resolved During Jury Deliberations: Excess of $800,000 as to All Defendants
November–December 2009

Bruce Wall, et ux. v. J.T. Thorpe & Son, Inc; Wickes, Inc.; et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Living Mesothelioma—Products Liability—Negligence
Case Resolved After Hung Jury at Start of Retrial: Excess of $4.75 Million as to All Defendants
September–November 2009

Patricia Pascale, et ux. v. Cleaver Brooks, Inc.; Quintec, Inc.; et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Ronald Sohigian
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Peritoneal Mesothelioma—Negligence—Product Liability
Case Resolved at Jury Selection: Excess of seven figures
June–July 2009

Jack Reynolds v. Hamilton Materials, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Mary Wiss
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma from Drywall Products
Verdict: $8,468,759
May–June 2009

Charlotte Smith, et ux. v. Sequoia Ventures, Inc.; Foster Wheeler LLC, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Robert Dondero
Trial Type: Wrongful Death Buccal Cancer—Negligence—Product Liability—Boilermaker
Case Settled at the Close of Jury Selection: Excess of $750,000
April–May 2009

Pamela Baur, et ux. v. Sequoia Ventures, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Bruce Chan
Trial Type: Lung Cancer—Wrongful Death—Product Liability—Negligence
Case Settled at Opening Statement: Excess of $750,000 as to all Defendants
April 2009

Stephanie Berg, et ux. v. Scott Company of California, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Robert J. Dondero
Trial Type: Peritoneal Mesothelioma—Wrongful Death—Product Liability—Negligence
Case Settled During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $1,750,000 as to all Defendants
March 2009

Connie Trujillo, et ux. v. Sequoia Ventures, Inc.; Fluor Corporation; et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Curtis E. Karnow
Trial Type: Peritoneal Mesothelioma—Wrongful Death—General Contractor Negligence
Case Settled During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $900,000 as to all Defendants
March 2009

Margaret Simpson, et ux. v. Union Carbide; J S Guerin Co.; SF Gravel Co.; et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Curtis E. Karnow
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Mesothelioma—Negligence—Product Liability
Case Settled Just Prior to Closing Statements: Excess of $2.5 Million as to all Defendants
Jan–Feb 2009

Robert Hilt, et al. v. Metalclad Insulation Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: James J. McBride
Trial Type: Living Mesothelioma—Product Liability—Negligence. Retired Janitor/Marine Machinest—Hunters Point and Mare Island Naval Shipyards, US Mint.
Case Settled at End of Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $7.5 Million as to all Defendants
Nov–Dec 2008

Marissa DuRette, et al. v. Dana Companies, LLC

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Lung Cancer/Mesothelioma—Negligence—Product Liability
Case Settled After Opening Statements: Excess of $900,000 as to all Defendants
September 2008

Mary Marcelja, et al. v. Leslie Controls Company, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Lung Cancer—Negligence—Product Liability
Case Settled After Selection of a Jury at Opening Statements: Excess of $750,000 as to all Defendants
September 2008

Anne Vanden Broek, et al. v. Plant Insulation Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: James J. McBride
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Lung Cancer—Negligence—Products Liability
Verdict: $2,610,720
August–September 2008

Kenneth Martin, et al. v. COE Manufacturing Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco, California
Judge: James J. McBride
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Peritoneal Mesothelioma Death
Case Settled After Opening Statements: Excess of $750,000 as to all Defendants
August 2008

Richard and Betty Palmer v. Rockwell Automation Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James McBride
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer
Case Settled During Plaintiffs’ Case in Chief: Excess of $1,000,000 as to all Defendants
July–August 2008

Eunice McClure v. Plant Insulation Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer—Wrongful Death
Case Settled During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $1,000,000 as to all Defendants
June 2008

Barbara J. Walker, et al. v. Foster Wheeler Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer—Wrongful Death
Case Settled After Opening Statements: Excess of $550,000
June 2008

Estate of Otto Schiebold v. Plant Insulation Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer—Wrongful Death
Case Settled at Closing: Excess of $2,400,000
April–May 2008

Judy Oxford, et al. vs. Foster Wheeler Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma—Wrongful Death
Verdict: $2,039,519
November 2007–January 2008

Jersey & Shirley Gray v. Allis–Chalmers Prod. Liability Trust, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Renal Cell Carcinoma
Case Settled After Jury Selection/Opening Statements: Excess of $950,000
September–October 2007

Twila Harford v. Union Pacific Railroad Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Thomas Mellon
Trial Type: Federal Employee Liability Act—Negligence—Lung Cancer
Case Settled After Presentation of Plaintiff’s Case: Excess of $1,000,000
3 weeks, August 2007

Shirley McClure v. Plant Insulation Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Thomas Mellon
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer
Case Settled After Plaintiff’s Opening Statement: Excess of $900,000
2 weeks, July 2007

In re Asbestos Groups 378/391

Civil Jury Trials
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Thomas Mellon
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Asbestosis—Pleural Disease
Case Settled During Plaintiffs’ Case in Chief: 6 Trial Cases, 9 Trial Defendants in Excess of $100,000 Per Case
2 weeks, June–July 2007

Albert Cook v. Plant Insulation Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Mary Wiss
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled at Jury Selection: Excess of $250,000
2 weeks, May–June 2007

Edward McIntyre v. Metalclad Insulation Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John Stewart
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled During Presentation of Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $2,600,000
3 weeks, April 2007

Peter and Agnes Reiss v. Pneumo–Abex Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: John E. Munter
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer
Case Settled During Plaintiffs’ Case in Chief: Excess of $525,000
2 weeks, March–April 2007

Janet Blakley v. Metalclad Insulation Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Charlotte Woolard
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Lung Cancer
Case Settled After Jury Selection: Excess of $525,000
2 weeks, March 2007

Rollen Cox (family) and Wenton Hutchinson (family) v. Beazer East, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Thomas Mellon
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Product Liability—Negligence—Lung Cancer
Cases Settled During Plaintiffs’ Case in Chief: Excess of $700,000 and $800,000
2 weeks, February 2007

Samuel Barrick v. Allen Bradley Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Ronald Quidachay
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma
Case Settled at Voir Dire: Excess of $1,750,000
1 week – February 2007

Joseph Kotarski v. Rheem Manufacturing Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: A. James Robertson
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Pre–trial Motions: Excess of $2,250,000
3 weeks, January 2007

Richard Campbell v. Kaiser Gypsum Co, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John E. Munter
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Paneling of Jury Veniere: Excess of $1,350,000
2 weeks, November–December 2006

Houston Muckelvane v. Highland Stucco and Lime Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Orange County, California
Judge: Thierry Colaw
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Asbestosis—Pleural Disease
Case Settled After Jury Selected/Opening Statements: Excess of $140,000
1 week, October 2006

David Bakkie v. Union Carbide Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County
Judge: Gail DeKreon
Trial type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma
Verdict: $18,523,450
10 weeks, June–September 2006

Charlton Clemmer, et al. v. John Crane, Inc. and Thorpe Insulation Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Kevin McCarthy
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Product Liability—Negligence
Verdict: $1,917,400
6 weeks, Febuary–March 2006

Alan Reinstein v. Kentile Floors Inc.; Bondex International Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Ricardo A. Torres
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Product Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Verdict for Defendant Bondex: Excess of $900,000
5 weeks, December 2005–January 2006

Genaro Garcia and Delia Garcia v. Duro Dyne Corporation and Holmes & Narver, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Paul Alvarado
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Verdict: $1,900,000
3 weeks, October–November 2005

Walter Cozad v. Certainteed Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James Robertson
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Resolved at Jury Selection: Excess of $400,000
1 week, September 2005

John Surprenant v. 20th Century Fox Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Victor E. Chavez
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma—Wrongful Death
Case Resolved During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $2,500,000
August 2005

Shaheed Nuriddin v. Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Paul Alvarado
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Opening Statement: Excess of $1,000,000
June 2005

Ralph Pierce v. Certainteed Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Mary Wiss
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Verdict: $3,461,333.29
5 weeks, April–May 2005

Ernest Coulter and Lerose Coulter v. ACandS, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: King County, Washington
Judge: Sharon Armstrong
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Living Asbestosis
Verdict: $242,500
3 weeks, March–April, 2005

Patricia Moore v. Harley Davidson Corp, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: King County, Washington
Judge: Douglas North
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma—Wrongful Death
Case Settled at Start of Pre–trial Motions: Excess of $1,000,000
1 week, March 2005

In Re Group 283 Asbestos Cases

Consolidated Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Kevin McCarthy
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Verdict: Cases Settled Prior to Start of Motions in Limine: Excess of $250,000
3 Weeks, March 2005

Tommy Archibeque v. Rockwell Automation Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Mel Red Recana
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled at the Start of Motions in Limine: Excess of $650,000
1 Week, February 2005

Robert Botorff v. Asbestos Defendants BP, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Alexandar Williams III
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled at the Beginning of Jury Selection During Motions in Limine: Excess of $450,000
2 Weeks, February 2005

Chester Harris v. Sequoia Ventures Inc. (fma Bechtel Corporation), et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Charlene Mitchell
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Jury Selection: Excess of $750,000
1 Week, January–February 2005

David Dryden v. Volkswagen of America Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Alex Saldamondo
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Opening Statements: Excess of $1,250,000
2 Weeks, January 2005

Donald Perman v. Duro Dyne Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James McBride
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $1,250,000
2 Weeks, November–December 2004

In Re Group 282 v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al.

Consolidated Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Donald Mitchell
Trial Type: Premises Liability—Negligence
Cases Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $350,000
2 Weeks, October 2004

Thomas McClure v. Fluor Corporation, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James Robertson II
Trial Type: Products Liability—Premises Liability—Negligence
Case Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $650,000
2 Weeks, August–September 2004

Anne Mader v. Owens Illinois Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James McBride
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled at Beginning of Voir Dire: Excess of $250,000
1 Week, August 2004

Stanley Ives v. Hamilton Building Materials Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: David Ballati
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Jury Selection: Excess of $700,000
2 Weeks, August 2004

David Davis v. Kelly Moore Paint Company, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: David Ballati
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Opening Statements: Excess of $550,000
2 Weeks, July 2004

Richard Reynolds v. Hill Brothers Chemical Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Tomar Mason
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence
Case Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $750,000
1 Week, July 2004

Harlan Ketchum v. Union Carbide Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Peter Busch
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma
Verdict: Case Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $3,600,000
2 weeks, June–July 2004

Morris Nagl and Donna Nagl v. Dowman Products Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Circuit Court: Multnomah County, Oregon
Judge: John A. Wittmayer
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Mesothelioma
Verdict: $659,720.87
3 weeks, May–June 2004

In Re Department of Justice – September 11 Victim Relief Fund

Bench Trial to Special Master
Department of Justice: New York City, New York
Judge: Special Master Kenneth Feinberg
Trial Type: Victim Compensation Fund—Congressional Mandate
Judgment: Claimant Family Awarded $2,083,000
1 day, May 2004

Robert Ryan v. Asbestos Corporation Ltd.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John E. Munter
Trial Type: Products Liability—Disputed Mesothelioma
Verdict: Defense on Medical Diagnosis
Case Settled with Remaining Defendants: Excess of $500,000
3 weeks, March 2004

John Kiss v. Asbestos Defendants, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Charlene Padovani Mitchell
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Colon Cancer
Verdict: Case Settled at Opening Statements: Excess of $1,500,000
3 weeks, February–March 2004

Patricia Anderegg, et al. v. Center for Claims Resolution

Civil Bench Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James J. McBride
Trial Type: Breach of Contract—Asbestos
Verdict: $1,019,092
1 week, December 2003

Carl Ransdell v. Sequoia Ventures, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Lillian Sing
Trial Type: Product Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Settled During Jury Selection: Excess of $2,500,000
2 weeks, October 2003

Clarence Green v. Union Carbide Corp, et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Wallace Douglass
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Mesothelioma
Case Settled During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $1,600,000
2 weeks, August 2003

Norman Hopkins v. Union Carbide Corp., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Donald Mitchell
Trial Type: Product Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Settled at Conclusion of Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $5,500,000
3 weeks, June–July 2003

Gertrude Bailty, et al. v. Oscar Erickson, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Charlene Mitchell
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Colon Cancer
Case Settled After Jury Selection, Prior to Opening: Excess of $400,000
2 weeks, May 2003

Otto Schiebold v. Asbestos Defendants

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Charlene Mitchell
Trial Type: Negligence—Products Liability
Case Settled After Pre–Trial Motions/Voir Dire: Excess of $6,250,000
4 weeks, March–April 2003

Judy Arndt v. Ford Motor Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: King County, Washington
Judge: Linda Lau
Trial Type: Negligence—Products Liability
Case Settled Prior to Trial: Excess of $2,200,000
Defense Verdict for Ford
4 weeks, February 2003

Lester Tims v. Ford Motor Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Carlos Bea
Trial Type: Negligence—Products Liability
Case Settled After Opening Statements
2 weeks, January 2003

Milt Johnson/Alex Mendoza v. Asbestos Defendants

Civil Jury Trial
Oregon Circuit Court: Multnomah County, Oregon
Judge: John Wittmayer
Trial Type: Products Liability
Case Settled After Opening Statements
1 week, November 2002

Perry Wells v. Allen Bradley Company, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Alfred Chiatelli
Trial Type: Negligence—Products Liability
Case Settled in Part: Defense Verdict for Allen Bradley
6 weeks, June–July 2002

Alfred Todak v. Foster Wheeler L.L.C.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John E. Munter
Trial Type: Negligence—Products Liability
Verdict: $33,700,000
6 weeks, February–March 2002

Joseph and Thomas Soares (minor twins) v. Tile Council of America, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Paul Alvarado
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled at Closing: Excess of $750,000
5 weeks, January 2002

Mark Compton, et ux. v. Asbestos Defendants

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Robert Dondero
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence
Case Settled After Opening Statement: Excess of $2,000,000
1 week, November 2001

Anthony Gallegos, et al. v. Dick Simon Trucking, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
District Court: Salt Lake City, Utah
Judge: Lee A. Dever
Trial Type: Highway Truck Crash
Verdict: $16,400,000
5 weeks, September–November 2001

Group 193

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Alfred Chiantelli
Trial Type: Shipyard—Products Liability
Verdict: $701,001
4 weeks, August 2001

Robert Alexander v. Union Pacific Railroad/Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Robert Dondero
Trial Type: FELA—Products Liability
Case Settled After Jury Selection: Excess of $750,000
1 week, June–July 2001

Ray Sundberg v. ACandS, Inc., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: King County, Washington
Judge: Linda Lau
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Living Lymphoma
Verdict: $1,511,900
4.5 weeks, March–April 2001

Fred Robertson v. Westside Building Material Co., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Carlos Bea
Trial Type: Lung and Tongue Cancer
Case Settled After Plaintiff Verdict on Statute of Limitations Defense: Excess of $800,000
2 weeks, January–February 2001

Dennis Emrick v. WR Grace & Co., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Oregon Circuit Court: Multnomah County, Oregon
Trial Type: Mesothelioma
Case Settled in Part at Pre–Trial: Excess of $2,200,000
Defense verdicts Scapa Dryer Felts, Asten–Hill Manufacturing Co., Quimby Welding Supply, ACandS Inc., United States Mineral Products Co. Appeal pending. Second action filed.
11 weeks, September–November 2000

Theodore Norman/Marion Norman v. US Gypsum Co and Krueger Lumber Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Oregon Circuit Court: Multnomah County, Oregon
Judge: John Wittmayer
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Living Mesothelioma
Case Settled During Plaintiff’s Case in Chief: Excess of $600,000
2 weeks, August 2000

Alfred McKeown v. Center for Claims Resolution Defendants

Civil Jury Trial
Oregon Circuit Court: Multnomah County, Oregon
Judge: John Wittmayer
Trial Type: Products Liability—Negligence—Living Lung Cancer
Case Settled After Voir Dire: Excess of $400,000
2 weeks, July 2000

Donald Benedict v. Center for Claims Resolution

Civil Jury Trial
Oregon Circuit Court: Multnomah County
Trial Type: Product Liability—Negligence—Living Lung Cancer
Case Settled After Voir Dire: Excess of $400,000
2 weeks, June 2000

Bernie Chavers v. Owens–Illinois, Inc.; Gatke Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James McBride
Personal Injury—Products Liability—Civil Conspiracy—Mesothelioma
Verdict: $4,648,535—Punitive Phase Pending
17 weeks, May 2000

Lynda Broussard v. Graybar Electric Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Ernest Goldsmith
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Plaintiffs’ Case in Chief
2 weeks, December 1999

Dona Cottam v. Rapid American Corp.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Carlos Bea
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Plaintiffs’ Case in Chief: Excess of $750,000
2 weeks, November 1999

Sandra Holland v. U.S. Mineral; Douglas Insulation Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Stuart Pollak
Trial Type: Products Liability—Personal Injury—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Opening Statements: Excess of $1,000,000
1 week, October 1999

Robert Bush v. Kaiser Gypsum

Civil Jury Trial
Oregon Circuit Court: Multnomah County, Oregon
Judge: Anna Brown
Trial Type: Products Liability—Personal Injury—Non–Hodgkins Lymphoma
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $1,500,000
6 weeks, August–September 1999

Jim White v. ACandS, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John Conway
Trial Type: Products Liability—Personal Injury—Mesothelioma
2 weeks, June 1999

Tracy Thompson v. T&N PLC

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John Conway
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
1 week, May 1999

Arthur Manners v. E.J. Bartells Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: John Dearman
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled During Trial: Excess of $3,500,000
1 week, April 1999

Janis Hoffman v. Mobil Oil Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Carlos Bea
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Jones Act—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Verdict
2 weeks, March 1999

Frank Dens v. Burlington Northern Railroad

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Frank Gafkowski
Trial Type: Personal Injury—FELA—Mesothelioma
Case Settled During Trial: Excess of $500,000
1 week, March 1999

Kenneth Kugelman v. John Crane Co. (opening statement)

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Raymond Arata
Trial Type: Products Liability—Personal Injury—Lung Cancer
Case on Appeal After Verdict
4 weeks, February 1999

Donald Dressler v. Lear Siegler Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Diane Wick
Trial Type: Products Liability—Personal Injury—Lymphoma
Case Mistried: Plaintiff Died During Trial
1 week, January 1999

James Davidson v. Synkoloid Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Diane Wick
Trial Type: Products Liability—Personal Injury—Laryngeal Cancer
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $1,500,000
8 weeks, November–December 1998

Hendrick Oranje v. Dowman Products Company

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Diane Wick
Trial Type: Products Liability—Laryngeal Cancer
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $2,500,000
3 weeks, October 1998

Barbara Wiggins v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Pre–Trial/Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Frank Gafkowski
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Lung Cancer
Case Settled During Trial: Excess of $200,000
1 week, September 1998

Daniel Wilson v. John Crane Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Douglas Munson
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Pending on Appeal After Verdict: Excess of $4,500,000
7 weeks, July 1998

Dale Walker v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Orange County, California
Judge: James McDonald
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled Prior to Entering Punitive Phase: Excess of $100,000
6 weeks, June 1998

Gerald Baer, et al. v. Owens Corning

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Orange County, California
Judge: Phillip Petty
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdict
6 weeks, April–May 1998

Raymond Burks v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Douglas Munson
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Settled After Verdict
1 week, February 1998

Gerald August, et al. v. Raymark Industries, Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Solano County, California
Judge: Richard Harris
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Wrongful Death—Conspiracy—Asbestosis
Raymark Filed for Bankruptcy After Verdicts: Excess of $6,500,000
20 weeks, October–February 1997–1998

ARKA Project Group v. U.S. Gypsum

Pre–Trial/Appeal
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Bruce Mitchell—Commissioner
Trial Type: Asbestos Property Damage
Case Settled While on Appeal: Excess of $850,000
1 week, October 1997

Elias Sanchez v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Paul Alvarado
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $750,000
7 weeks, July–September 1997

Rafi Barkat v. Tosco Oil Co., Inc.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James Warren
Trial Type: Premises Liability—Personal Injury—Lung Cancer
Case Settled After Verdict and Appeal
8 weeks, April–June 1997

Celia Epman v. Asbestos Corp

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Carlos Bea
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Lung Cancer
Case Settled During Trial
1 week, March 1997

James Sleevy v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Lillian Sing
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdict
3 weeks, February 1997

Donna Grahn v. Fluor Corp., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Raymond Williamson
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Lung Cancer
Case Pending New Trial After Reversed on Appeal
6 weeks, December–January 1996–1997

Marlene Kowalski v. Metaclad Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Raymond Williamson
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Lung Cancer
Settled After Appeal of Verdict: Excess of $300,000
6 weeks, September–December 1996

Asbestos Group 87/94—Williams, et al. v. Southern Pacific Railroad

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Lucy McCabe
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Lung Cancer
Settled After Jury Verdict
4 weeks, June–July 1996

Mary Anderegg v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Carlos Bea
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products—Mesothelioma
Case Settled During Trial
2 weeks, March 1996

Charles Murphy v. Owens Corning Fiberglas

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Alfred Chiantelli
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdict and Punitive Damages: Excess of $1,000,000
24 weeks, January–February 1996

Gerald Snook v. Metaclad Corporation

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Alfred Chiantelli
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdicts: Excess of $150,000
3 Cases Consolidated, 24 weeks, August–January 1995–1996

Jackie Gray v. Owens Corning Fiberglass

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: James Robertson
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products—Lung Cancer
Case Tried to Verdict: Settled
3 weeks, May 1995

E.J. Phillips v. Abex Corp., et al.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Richard Figone
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Tried to Verdict: Settled
6 weeks, April 1995

Bobbie Wanzo v. U.S. Mineral Products

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Donald Mitchell
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Settled After Verdict
7 weeks, March 1995

Century Park East Assoc. v. US Gypsum Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Richard Montes
Trial Type: Products Liability—Asbestos Property Damage
Case Settled After Trial: Excess of $3,500,000
5 weeks, November 1994

Tommy Hendrix v. V.I.P. Trucking

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Santa Clara County, California
Judge: Leslie Nichols
Trial Type: Truck Accident—Highway Premises
Case Settled After Judge Ruled on Motions, Jury Selection: Excess of $2,500,000
4 weeks, July 1994

J.H. Snyder Co. v. U.S. Gypsum Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: James Satt
Trial Type: Products Liability—Asbestos Property Damage
Case Settled After Trial: Excess of $1,000,000
3 weeks, April 1994

Angelo Sangiacomo v. U.S. Gypsum Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Richard Figone
Trial Type: Asbestos Property Damage—Products Liability
Case Settled After Appeal of Verdict
3 weeks, October 1993

Ina Dalton v. Brea Community Hospital

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Orange County, California
Judge: Nancy Weiben Stock
Trial Type: Medical Malpractice
Case Mistried During Trial Due to Juror Seizure
1 week, June 1993

Bunker Hill Towers Condominium Assoc. v. W.R. Grace Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Ernest Hiroshige
Trial Type: Asbestos Property Damage—Products Liability
Case Settled After Appeal of Verdict: Excess of $6,000,000
16 weeks, February 1992

Dennis Johnson v. Cabrillo Community College

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Santa Cruz County, California
Judge: Samuel Stevens
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Formaldehyde—Statute of Limitations
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $750,000
3 weeks, August 1991

Francis Ainis, et al. v. J.L. Jones & Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Lawrence Waddington
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Tenant Asbestos Exposure
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $250,000
4 weeks, July 1991

Los Angeles Community College District v. W.R. Grace Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: William Masterson
Trial Type: Asbestos Property Damage—Statute of Limitations
Case Settled After Appeal of Judgment
2 weeks, June 1990

Mary Conway v. Gates, Kingsley & Gates

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Sara Radin
Trial Type: Mortuary Malpractice—Loss of Remains
Case Settled After Appeal of Verdict: Excess of $1,000,000
3 weeks, March 1990

Miles Harrison v. H.K. Porter

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Morton Colvin
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $1,000,000
7 weeks, March 1989

Louis Quakenbush v. Southern Pacific Trans. Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Sacramento County, California
Judge: John Davies
Trial Type: Personal Injury—FELA—Asbestosis
Case Settled During Trial
1 week, November 1988

Vartkes Kilitzian v. Eagle–Picher Industries

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: William Stein
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $225,000
8 weeks, July 1988

Sonia Lerman v. County of Los Angeles

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Norman Epstein
Trial Type: Slip and Fall at County Museum—Broken Hip
Case Settled After 2 Days of Trial
1 week, February 1988

Ethel Miller v. Asbestos Claims Facility

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda County, California
Judge: Richard Bancroft
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Products Liability—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $200,000
11 weeks, January 1988

Mario Franco v. Asbestos Claims Facility

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda County, California
Judge: Richard Bancroft
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled During Trial: Excess of $150,000
1 week, December 1987

James Harris v. Western MacArthur Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Alameda County, California
Judge: Richard Bancroft
Trial Type: Personal Injury—Products Liability—Asbestosis
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $125,000
2 weeks, November 1987

Ralph Caravaca v. Southern Pacific Railroad

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: San Francisco County, California
Judge: Ollie Marie–Victoire
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—FELA—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Verdict
6 weeks, August 1987

Vincent Marino v. Southern Pacific Railroad; John Crane Co.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Ronald M. George
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Mesothelioma
Case Settled After Appeals of Verdict: Excess of $750,000
8 weeks, July 1986

William Cook v. Southern Pacific Railroad

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Ventura County, California
Judge: Jack Thompson
Trial Type: Wrongful Death—Railroad Crossing
Case Settled After Appeal of Verdict
2 weeks, May 1986

Ruth Boris v. Briar Oak Terrace Convalescent Center

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Betty Jo Sheldon
Trial Type: Convalescent Hospital Malpractice—Wrongful Death
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $75,000
4 weeks, April 1986

Manuel Flores v. Gannet Corp.

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Riverside County, California
Judge: John Hews
Trial Type: Defamation Trial
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $900,000
8 weeks, March 1986

Sharon Moore v. Santa Fe Railroad

Civil Jury Trial
Superior Court: Riverside County, California
Judge: Ray Schulte
Trial Type: Railroad Crossing Accident
Case Settled After Verdict: Excess of $100,000
4 weeks, May 1985