Monthly Archives: June 2009

Under Cross Examination, Chevron Admits of the Dangers of Asbestos

We represent the family of Francine Horvath who died as a result of washing the asbestos laden clothing brought home on her husband’s clothing. Francine Horvath’s husband , Earnest, worked at the Chevron refinery in Perth Amboy New Jersey. We recently took the deposition of Chevron industrial hygienist ,Stanley Dryden, and uncovered some startling facts. We learned that Chevron was aware of the dangers of asbestos going back to at least the 1940s.  It turns out that Chevron was taking steps to protect workers and their families in refineries in Texas and California but not in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. You can read the actual testimony at http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/mesothelioma-litigation/Chevron-and-Asbestos—1-31116.html

Next we took the deposition of Chevron engineer , John Wirkowski. Wirkowski worked as one of the head engineers at the Perth Amboy refinery. Wirkowski admitted that he was never told by  corporate higher ups that they were aware of the dangers of asbestos. According to Wirkowski, the Chevron Perth Amboy, refinery was loaded with asbestos. The asbestos on the piping alone stretched for up to 12 miles inside the refinery. Wirkowski admitted under oath that nothing was done to stop the use of asbestos in Perth Amboy until the 1970’s. You can read the Wirkowski testimony at http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/mesothelioma-litigation/Despite-Knowledge-Chevron-Uses-Asbestos-Causing-Massive-Exposure–1-32495.html. Unfortunately, that was way too late for the Horvath family.  At least now the Horvath’s and everyone else knows the truth. Trial is set for September 2009.

Mesothelioma Rates Still on the Rise

For the past 25 plus years I have represented people diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Many clients have become my friends and it is devastating to see this horrible disease ravage them and hurt their families. It is upsetting to know that this disease will be with us for many years. This predicament is the product of many yearsContinue Reading

GM- Chrysler Bailout Will Bankrupt Thousands of Victims

According to a new study the GM-Chrysler bankruptcy will deprive thousands of wrongfully injured people of just compensation and their day in court.According to the Safety Research & Strategies report, “Public Safety at Risk: Bankruptcies Leave Legacy of Defects, Injuries and Deaths,”More than 3,400 U.S. citizens could be killed or injured in the next 12Continue Reading

Supreme Court Clears the Way for $500 Million Dollar Asbestos Settlement

In 1982 when Johns Manville declared bankruptcy, a significant percentage of the money used to fund the asbestos bankruptcy trust came from the Travelers Insurance Company. After that time, a number of plaintiffs began to sue Travelers directly alleging Travelers had acted wrongly in its own right by suppressing information concerning the dangers of asbestosContinue Reading

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