Mississippi Court Finds Silica Supplier Liable for Half of $1.7 Million Verdict

LAUREL, Miss. — A Mississippi state court judge has reduced a $1.7 million silica verdict to $874,732.20 against the lone trial defendant, acknowledging the jury’s finding of lesser liability but applying state law to impose joint and several liability of 50 percent of compensatory damages. Reeves v. Pangborn, et al., No. 2007-61-CV6 (Miss. Cir. Ct., Jones Cty.).

Jones County (Miss.) Circuit Judge Billy Joe Landrum issued his judgment against Mississippi Valley Silica Co. July 3, a month after a Circuit Court jury found for Gwendolyn M. Reeves on claims that her husband’s death was linked to silica exposure.

After a …