San Francisco, California - August 27, 2009
Brent Coon & Associates has reached a settlement with three separate manufacturing companies in a lawsuit involving asbestos exposure. General Dynamics, DAP and The Allis Chalmers Corporation Products Liability Trust were the last three remaining defendants in an asbestos case that started with 14 separate defendants. Ted Fox, a Navy veteran, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The allegations against General Dynamics included that Mr. Fox was exposed to asbestos contained in marine electrical motors manufactured by General Dynamics’ Electro Dynamic division.
A settlement was also reached directly with DAP, a leading producer of caulk, adhesives and other general patch and repair products. The attorneys at BCA claimed that Mr. Fox was exposed to asbestos through the use of DAP caulk he frequently used in home repairs such as patching up ceiling leaks and wooden gutters. General Dynamics, DAP and Allis Chalmers agreed to the settlement two days into jury selection. The case was set to go to trial in front of Judge John Stewart in San Francisco. Previous attempts by other defendants to transfer the case to the courts of Washington state had been denied.
The settlement was negotiated by Rick Brody, BCA’s Managing Office Attorney in San Francisco, along with attorneys Cecil Crain and Dennis Weitzel. Mr. Weitzel, managing attorney of BCA’s Dallas office, headed a team of attorneys located in Dallas who collaborated with the San Francisco office to form a formidable legal braintrust. “The synergies between the team in Dallas and the team here in San Francisco were crucial in helping push this case forward,” said Brody. “The ability to handle cases nationwide and multijurisdictionally gives the firm a huge leg up and creates a bargaining position vastly stronger than most firms possess.”
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