Court Upholds 'Fear of Disease' Damages Resulting from Exposure to Contaminated Soil

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A Louisiana Appeals court has upheld damages awarded to143 residents in Louisiana who claimed they were exposed to asbestos from transite disturbed when Conoco destroyed some abandoned houses near one of the company's refineries. Bonnette v. Conoco, Inc., et al., No. 01-0297 (La. Ct. App., 3rd Cir.).

Louisiana's Third Circuit Court of Appeal ruled Sept. 12 that fear of disease and property damage awards given to several residents living near the site should be left intact, in part because it cannot be said what effect the possible contamination could have on those exposed.

The houses …