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Case Fact Sheet
After overcoming years of impossible setbacks, the widow of a mesothelioma victim is awarded justice for her husband’s quiet suffering
Case Summary
The Sallers’ asbestos lawsuit was originally tried in 2007 and received a defense verdict, however, plaintiffs overturned the ruling on appeal. The case was retried and the jury awarded Donna Saller and her daughters $8.6 million on behalf of Mrs. Saller’s husband, William “Bill” Saller, who died of mesothelioma. Mr. Saller contracted mesothelioma from his work around Mundet thermal insulation at Standard Oil in El Segundo, California. Crown, Cork & Seal is responsible by merger for Mundet and was the only defendant at trial.
Verdict
December 13, 2013
$8,666,000 total award:
$516,000 economic damages;
$4,550,000 non-economic damages;
$3,600,000 punitive damages
Liability: Mundet/Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc., 30%
Significance
Plaintiffs overcame an initial defense verdict on appeal and eventually received a verdict in their favor.
Verdict in favor of plaintiff with bystander exposure against Mundet/ Crown, Cork & Seal, a difficult defendant.
Case Information
Cause No. BC342363 Saller, et al. v. Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
Trial length: 17 days Deliberation length: 2 days damages; 1.5 hours punitives
Jurisdiction:
Los Angeles County Superior Court, California
Hon. Anthony J. Mohr, presiding
Plaintiffs Experts (live testimony)
Barry Castleman, Sc.D., State of the Art
David T. Fractor, Ph.D., Economist
Arnold R. Brody, M.D., General Medicine
Barry Horn, M.D., Medical Doctor
Susan Raterman, CIH, Industrial Hygienist
Defense Experts (live testimony)
Francis W. Wier, Ph.D., Industrial Hygienist
Dorsett Smith, M.D., Medical Doctor
Plaintiffs’ Counsel
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel – LOS ANGELES
Scott L. Frost (lead trial counsel), R. Walker Humphrey, II
Defense Counsel – Mundet/Crown, Cork & Seal
Armstrong & Associates – OAKLAND
William H. Armstrong
Morris Polich & Purdy – LOS ANGELES
Penelope M. Deihl
Disclaimer – Results obtained depend on the facts of each case. Award amounts are not actual cash amounts received by plaintiffs. Deductions are made for offsets, liens, attorney fees and expenses.
To learn more about our national plaintiffs’ attorneys or the law firm’s resources or to have a Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel attorney review your potential case, call 800.226.9880 or email us.
That’s the first question everyone asks. The truth is it’s impossible to know. But we can tell you this. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has what it takes to fight against big corporate interests and win. That’s why we’ve taken more mesothelioma trials to verdict than any other firm. And that’s why we’ve recovered more than $1.3 billion for clients like you. Do you think you have a case? Contact us now to speak with an attorney.