Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC Announces Jury Verdict in Minnesota Asbestos Lawsuit

MT. PLEASANT, S.C., Mar 19, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- XEL | news | PowerRating | PR Charts -- Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC (RPWB) in conjunction with Sieben Polk Attorneys at Law announced today a verdict handed down in Minnesota District Court against John Crane, Inc. on behalf of a mesothelioma victim and his wife.

Mr. Dennis Newinski was exposed to asbestos gaskets and packing materials manufactured by John Crane, Inc. while working for Northern States Power Company (now a subsidiary of Xcel Energy) in Minnesota from 1968 until 2000. Mr. Newinski, a three-time candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, was diagnosed in 2007 with malignant mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The jury found John Crane, Inc. negligent and awarded the Newinski family more than 4.6 million dollars in damages.

RPWB attorney, Christian Hartley says, "The dangers of asbestos in the work place have been known for many years yet Crane continued to manufacture and sell products containing asbestos without warning those exposed."

Sieban Polk attorney, Rick Laverdiere states, "Mr. and Mrs. Newinski and their family are thankful for a just verdict which fairly reflects John Crane's share of fault from Mr. Newinski's exposure to asbestos containing products over a 35 year career as a machinist. They sincerely hope that the verdict will help facilitate the resolution of pending claims between other cancer victims and John Crane."

"Our trial team is grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Newinski for their courage and willingness to stand up to John Crane and hold them accountable. Our Minnesota jury told John Crane that corporations have an obligation to acknowledge their mistakes to those they injure," says Sieben Polk attorney, Mike Strom.

The jury returned the verdict after 10 days of trial and several hours of deliberations in District Court, Second Judicial District, Ramsey County, Minnesota.

SOURCE: Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC (RPWB)

Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC Mason Scott, 843-727-6500 mscott@rpwb.com

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