Punitive Phase Begins in DuPont Lawsuit

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: AP via Yahoo

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- For decades DuPont deliberately misled people in and around the small town of Spelter about threats that a high-polluting zinc smelting plant posed to their health, lawyers argued Tuesday in Harrison County Circuit Court.

In the final phase of a liability and medical monitoring trial, plaintiff attorney Mike Papantonio said the chemical giant showed "wanton, reckless disregard" for the safety of its neighbors, who should now be awarded punitive damages.

"We're not talking about something that might hurt you," he argued. "We're talking about something they know will hurt you."

DuPont's own documents prove it knew, since 1980 if not earlier, that it had a problem but chose to do nothing. The plan, he argued, was to delay a cleanup for as long as possible to save money.


Read more: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071016/wv_dupont_lawsuit.html?.v=1

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Pap's two for teo now. Phase on was getting a guilty verdict, two was getting them to pay for clean-up. three will be punitive damges, which Dupont deserves to be hit with

[acmavm]

1. I hope they take DuPont for every damn dime they've got. If, as they claim

corporations are 'persons', then this murderous 'person' deserves a death sentence.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

2. this is a long-standing case

at one point Johnnie Cochran was involved with it.

[Occulus]

4. Has that EVER happened?

Even once? That a jury has awarded a high enough amount that the award is tantamount to dissolution of the company?

I'm curious. I don't know- so I'm asking.

Anyone?

[DeSwiss]

6. The Manville Corporation

The Manville Corporation, formerly the Johns-Manville Corporation, filed for reorganization and protection under the United States Bankruptcy Code in August 1982. At the time, it was the largest company ever to file bankruptcy, and was one of the richest. Manville was then 181st on the Fortune 500, but was the defendant of 16,500 lawsuits related to the health effects of asbestos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestosis_-_Compensation_and_Liability_Disputes#Civil_litigation

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Phase four:

The Corporate Death Penalty.

[DeSwiss]

5. Now, that's a death penalty that I'm for.... n/t