Plaintiffs Awarded More Than $25 Million in First Round of Tyler Pipe Cases

DALLAS - The first trials involving hundreds of asbestos claims filed against Tyler Pipe Industries have ended with more than $25 million going to plaintiffs who developed asbestosis after working at the company's iron foundry. Dews v. Swan Transportation Co. f/k/a Tyler Pipe Industries, No. 40551 (Texas Dist. Ct., Smith Cty.); Blackburn, et al. v. Swan Transportation Co., No. 98-03696-F (Texas Dist. Ct., Dallas Cty.).

Separate juries in Smith and Dallas counties awarded the 15 former Tyler workers $9 million and $17 million, respectively. Baron & Budd represented plaintiffs in both cases. In Smith County, eight plaintiffs alleged they were …