Date: 12-17-2011

Case Style: Roger E. Hammett, Jr. v. Sea Land Service, Inc.

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Court: Superior Court, King County, Washington

Plaintiff's Attorney: Matthew Bergman, Bergman, Draper & Frockt, Seattle, Washington

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Roger E. Hammett, Jr., age 84 and his wife sued Sea-Land Service, Inc. on negligence and products liability theories. They claimed that Roger E. Hammett, Jr., 84, served as a messman aboard the SS SEATTLE for 67 days in 1966 and was exposed to asbestos fibers from pipe insulation that was being stripped from steam pipes during the voyage. Due to his exposure, he developed mesothelioma, a rare cancer in the lining of protective tissue around the lungs.

Hammett originally brought suit against several shipping companies and the Washington State Ferries in March 2011 and was granted an expedited trial date due to his terminal condition. The claims against other shipping companies were dismissed for jurisdictional reasons, and the Washington State Ferries settled for a confidential amount.

Hammett is undergoing palliative care to treat mesothelioma and is currently in the terminal stages of the disease. He was diagnosed in September 2010 and has been undergoing treatment ever since. Once diagnosed, patients often have only months to live.

Outcome: Plaintiffs' verdict for $1.45 million.

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