Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Multimillion Dollar Verdict in Mesothelioma Case

(HOUSTON, Texas) May 16, 2008: Williams Kherkher, a litigation firm based in Houston, Texas, announced today a $9.7 million verdict in a mesothelioma case. A jury in the Los Angeles County Superior Court awarded the verdict to Chief Brewer and his wife Gail for damages caused by long-term asbestos exposure. The case was tried before Judge William MacLaughlin of Department 89 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Brewer v. Crane Company involved Mr. Brewer's being diagnosed with mesothelioma while working as machinist mate in the Navy from 1961 to 1965. Mr. Brewer was exposed to asbestos blankets covering the valves and gasket materials in the valves located in the ship he worked on. Those valves were produced by Crane Company. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that has no known cure and is only caused by asbestos exposure.

The financial breakdown of the verdict awards was as follows: $700,000 for economic damages, $5 million for non-economic damages for Chief Brewer, and $4 million for non-economic damages of Gail Brewer.

Troy Chandler was lead attorney for Williams Kherkher on the case. "Chief Brewer was a humble machinist mate in the U.S. Navy, who served his country with honor and dignity, raised a wonderful family, and loved only one woman his entire life," said Chandler. "He is the epitome of a great American, and now he is dying due to the negligence of defense contractors like Crane Co. It is a shame that companies that profited at the expense of men like Chief Brewer turn their backs on them. I was proud to stand with Chief Brewer. He, and the men and women like him, is why I do what I do."

Michael Patronella, an attorney at Williams Kherkher who served with Mr. Chandler in representing the Brewers states, "I have had the great honor and privilege to represent two wonderful people, in Chief and Gail Brewer. The last year has been extremely difficult for Chief as he has had to endure hospitalization after hospitalization, as a result of his asbestos-related mesothelioma. Chief's wife Gail is the epitome of a loving caring and supportive spouse taking care of her soul mate with no complaints throughout the grueling stages of chemotherapy and its horrible side effects."

Mrs. Brewer applauds the efforts of her attorneys and the members of the jury. "We have been blessed with a wonderful team of attorneys and thank them for all their hard work and personal care they have provided for us over these last 12 months," said Mrs. Brewer. "Moreover, we appreciate and applaud the efforts of the jury, who put their lives on hold for two long months away from their jobs and families. I think it is a huge sacrifice and very commendable for them to do that for our family."

Troy Chandler and Mike Patronella served as counsel for Williams Kherkher, along with their colleagues, Scott Frost and Ken Lee from the Los Angeles firm of Waters Kraus.

Williams Kherkher represents families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos exposure nationwide. For more information about this trial, Williams Kherkher mesothelioma attorneys, or for more information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, please call the mesothelioma attorneys at Williams Kherkher 800.220.9341 or visit www.williamskherkher.com.