Significant Defense Verdict Obtained For DuPont In Jones County, Mississippi Dioxin Case

On June 7, 2007 Debbie Kuchler and Monique Weiner obtained a defense verdict in a major case against DuPont. They were heavily and strategically supported in this win by Bruce Evanick and Charles Abbott.

After short deliberation, a Jones County, Mississippi jury rejected the plaintiff's claim that dioxins and arsenic from DuPont's plant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast were responsible for the death of her daughter. Debbie Kuchler has been quoted nationally after the verdict as follows:

"'It's a good day for science because we were able to call experts who were some of the best in their fields,' said Deborah Kuchler, DuPont's lead trial lawyer. 'We feel like (the expert testimony) was very persuasive to the jury's conclusion that there was no connection between DuPont's operation and Haley Ladner's illness.'"

The jury verdict came in a lawsuit filed by Naomi Ladner on behalf of her deceased daughter and all wrongful death beneficiaries, including her husband and son. Her 8-year-old daughter, Haley, died in July 2000 of liver cancer. She also had heart defects, which were present at birth. The Ladners claimed both conditions were caused by dioxins and arsenic released from DuPont's DeLisle plant.

The Ladners sought compensatory damages from the jury of up to $30 million. Their lawyers were postured to proceed to a second, punitive phase of trial, which was thwarted by the defense verdict.

The Ladner case is the second to be tried by Ms. Kuchler and Ms. Weiner in Jones County from a group of almost 1900 claims filed against DuPont.