Mississippi Jury Returns $1.7 Million Silica Verdict

LAUREL, Miss. — A jury in Jones County, Miss., has determined that the family of a man who died of silica-related illness is entitled to compensatory and punitive damages of nearly $1.7 million, but apportioned liability to others besides the sole trial defendant. Reeves v. Pangborn, et al., No. 2007-61-CV6 (Miss. Cir. Ct., Jones Cty.).

The three-day trial was held before Jones County Circuit Court Judge Billy Joe Landrum and concluded on June 1.

Gwendolyn Reeves brought the case to trial against Mississippi Valley Silica Co. on behalf of her late husband, Robert Reeves.

Jurors answered “yes” to Question …