Douglas R. Simek
News

Hawkins Parnell Secures Defense Verdict in Washington Mesothelioma Trial

April 14, 2023 – Press Release

April 14, 2023 (Seattle, WA) – Hawkins Parnell & Young secured a unanimous defense verdict in a wrongful death mesothelioma trial in the Superior Court of Washington in King County. David Marshall (Atlanta), Douglas Simek (Dallas), and Daira Waldenberg (Seattle) from Hawkins Parnell tried the case on behalf of the only defendant left at verdict. Plaintiffs asked the jury for nearly $85 million at the end of the five-week trial.

Plaintiffs sought damages under strict product liability and negligence for the wrongful death of Gary Olson and the survival claims of his six children. The decedent died of mesothelioma at age 75. Plaintiffs alleged exposure to asbestos and asbestos-containing products in the U.S. Navy, Lockheed and Todd Shipyards, and Intalco.

Plaintiffs were represented by Meredith Good and Deirdre McDonnell of Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC.

Defense experts who testified at trial were: Dr. Andrew Churg (pathology); Dr. Jennifer Sahmel (industrial hygiene); Dr. Dominik Alexander (epidemiology); and Christopher Herfel (Navy).

Plaintiffs called the following experts at trial: Dr. Arnold Brody (cell biology); Dr. Richard Cohen (occupational medicine); Dr. Steven Compton (materials science); Dr. Michael Ellenbecker (industrial hygiene); and Dr. David Tarin (pathology).