Releases

LAUREL, Miss. - The Jackson, Miss.-based civil trial law firm of Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP is announcing a take-nothing defense verdict in a Mississippi asbestos exposure lawsuit in favor of Houston-based Union Carbide Corporation and two other defendants, including ConocoPhillips Company and Montello, Inc.

Plaintiff Bob K. Martin of Lumberton, Miss. filed suit against the companies in 2006 based on claims that his health problems were the result of his alleged exposure to asbestos while working in oilfields located throughout the southeastern United States between 1965 and 1986.

Following a two-week trial before Judge Billy Joe Landrum in Jones County Circuit Court, jurors returned a take-nothing verdict for Union Carbide and the other companies, rejecting each of the plaintiff's claims of negligence, strict liability, design defect, inadequate warning, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The verdict was delivered Sept. 9.

"We are very pleased about the juror's careful consideration of the facts in this case," says Marcy B. Croft, lead counsel from the Forman Perry defense team representing Union Carbide, who worked in conjunction with National Trial Counsel Kevin M. Jordan of Baker Botts, LLP, and Michael G. Terry of Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dryer & Kern, LLP. "We maintained from day one that our client acted responsibly, and this verdict is proof."

Plaintiff Mr. Martin was represented by Greg Jones of the Texas firm Franklin Cardwell & Jones; Robert Hammond of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and Robert Sullivan of Laurel, Mississippi.

Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy is a national trial firm focusing on civil trial law with an emphasis on tort, environmental and commercial litigation. The firm is home to more than 85 skilled attorneys in Jackson, Miss., Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston and New Orleans who have represented clients in state and federal courts across the U.S. for more than 20 years. Forman Perry's pioneering work in the federal multidistrict litigation covering silica products liability (MDL 1553) and asbestos products liability (MDL 875) has led to the dismissal of tens of thousands of claims.

For more information on the verdict or to speak with a member of the trial team, please contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.