Mississippi Jury Returns $7.6 Million Verdict in Silica Case

VICKSBURG, Miss. - A jury has awarded $4.6 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitives to a former sandblaster who developed silicosis after working nearly 25 years at a Marathon Letourneau facility in Mississippi, HarrisMartin Publishing is reporting. Eastman v. Pangborn Corp., et al., No. 07,0132-CI (Miss. Cir. Ct., Warren Cty.).

Jurors in Warren County Circuit Court returned the verdict Nov. 9 against Mississippi Valley Silica Co. Inc. following a week-long trial before Judge Isadore Patrick. Mississippi Valley was found 60 percent at fault for Robert Eastman's silica-related injury, which sources said was complicated by progressive massive fibrosis.