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Womble Bond Dickinson team led by Claire Weglarz and Ted Roberts successfully defended a plumbing supply wholesale company in a mesothelioma case that went to a jury verdict on June 20, 2025 in Alameda County, Calif.

The Womble team also included attorneys Tommy Remillard, Macy Chan, Mirna Scheffy, and Julia Wood as well as paralegal Melissa Kettler.  Dana Lisenby was the trial paralegal for the case and assisted in the daily presentation of evidence in the courtroom.

The plaintiff alleged that he had been exposed to crocidolite-containing water pipe in his home more than 40 years ago, and that exposure led to his 2023 pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. He sought more than $10 dollars in compensatory damages and also requested punitive damages.  

The company denied that it was negligent and strictly liable and contended that the sole cause of the plaintiff’s pleural mesothelioma was his inherited BAP1 mutation.  Additionally, the company maintained that the plaintiff had not been exposed to any water pipe it supplied decades ago.  The plaintiff also had a synchronous renal cell carcinoma which explained most of his damages, according to the company.

Following a five-week trial, a California Superior Court jury returned a defense verdict. The jury deliberated three-and-a-half hours before returning its verdict. The case saw expert witnesses testify in a range of areas, including pathology, medical oncology, industrial hygiene, pulmonary medicine, and epidemiology.
 

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