Results

While every case is different and no attorney can guarantee a successful outcome, when choosing a lawyer for a severe injury case you should absolutely consider that lawyer’s experience handling — and trying — cases. The companies and insurers that stand in the way of your recovery certainly do. Some of Jay Stuemke’s trial verdicts are highlighted below.

Trial Verdicts

Depoian v. Whittaker, Clark & Daniels, Inc., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BC607192

Jay served as lead trial counsel for Phil Depoian, who developed mesothelioma from his use of a variety of consumer talcum powders that incorporated talc supplied by Whittaker, Clark, and Daniels. Following a six-week trial, including days of testimony from ten different experts for both sides, Jay and his team proved that the talc supplied by WCD contained asbestos and caused Phil Depoian’s cancer.  The jury awarded a record amount of compensatory damages, and the case settled immediately before the punitive damages phase of trial began. This was one of the earliest successful mesothelioma cases involving cosmetic talc exposure.

Pfeifer v. John Crane, Los Angeles Superior Court, No. BC416536

Jay served as lead trial counsel for Bill Pfeifer and his family. Bill Pfeifer contracted mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos products, including John Crane gaskets and packing. Plaintiffs proved that John Crane knew or should have known that asbestos was deadly for decades, but failed to take the proper precautions to protect Mr. Pfeifer. The jury found that John Crane was negligent, that its products were unreasonably dangerous, and that it failed to warn of asbestos related dangers.  The jury awarded substantial compensatory and punitive damages, and the case was affirmed on appeal by the California Court of Appeals.  The verdict was recognized as one of the top 100 in the nation, and the reported opinion remains one of the most significant cases on punitive damages in California jurisprudence.

Bobo v. Tennessee Valley Authority, United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, No. CV 12-S-1930-NE

Jay served as lead trial counsel for Barbara Bobo’s family in this federal bench trial in Alabama. Mrs. Bobo developed and died from mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos on her husband’s work clothing.  He had been a laborer at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant for many years, and routinely wore his work clothes home to be laundered by Mrs. Bobo.  U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith found that the TVA had violated its own safety codes in allowing asbestos fibers to contaminate his clothing and was therefore negligent. The multi-million dollar judgment was affirmed by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Urbach v. The Okonite Company, St. Louis, MO Circuit Court, Case No. 1122-CC10636

Jay served as lead trial counsel representing the family of Keith Urbach. Mr. Urbach had developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos-containing products, including asbestos-containing fixture wire manufactured by Okonite, during his career as an electrician.  Okonite claimed that it never made the product at issue, and even if it did, that the product could not have caused mesothelioma.  The jury disagreed, finding Okonite was negligent and that its asbestos-containing fixture wire was in a defective condition unreasonably dangerous to its users. The multi-million dollar verdict was recognized as one of the year’s top verdicts in Missouri.

Ford v. Ferro Engineering, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, PA, May Term 2010 No. 2010;

Jay served as lead trial counsel for the family of Ed Ford, who died from mesothelioma after having worked in a steel mill for decades. Among other products, he worked with and around asbestos containing “hot tops” used in steel production. The jury found that the manufacturer of the hot tops was negligent and strictly liable for their defective asbestos products and awarded substantial damages.

Ihlenfeld v. Ferro Engineering, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, PA, June Term 2011 No. 236

Jay served as lead trial counsel for the family of Bill Ihlenfeld, who died from mesothelioma after having worked in a steel mill for decades. Among other products, he worked with and around asbestos containing “hot tops” used in steel production. The jury found that the manufacturer of the asbestos liners used in hot tops was negligent and strictly liable for their defective asbestos products and awarded substantial damages.

McCann v. Ferro Engineering, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, PA, November Term 2012 No. 595

Jay served as lead trial counsel for the family of Bill McCann, who died from mesothelioma after having worked in a steel mill for decades. Among other products, he worked around asbestos containing “hot tops” used in steel production. The jury found that the manufacturer of the asbestos liners used in hot tops was negligent and strictly liable for their defective asbestos products and awarded substantial damages.

Voelker v. John Crane, Eighth Judicial District, Erie County, NY, No. 801886/2013

Jay served as lead trial counsel for the Voelker family after Bill Voelker died of mesothelioma caused by his extensive exposure to asbestos products, including John Crane gaskets. Plaintiffs proved that John Crane knew or should have known that asbestos was deadly for decades, but failed to take the proper precautions to protect Mr. Voelker. The jury found that John Crane was negligent, that their products were unreasonably dangerous, and that they failed to warn of asbestos related dangers.  Although the Plaintiffs readily admitted exposure to many other asbestos products, the jury found that John Crane failed to establish that any other party was negligent and found John Crane 100% responsible for Mr. Voelker’s disease.

Awards and Recognition

Testimonials

I wanted to thank you for representing me in my talc case against a variety of corporations that produce and use talc in their products. I have no doubt as I watched the jurors over a six week period that your knowledge of the science and the history of talc and its relationship to mesothelioma made all the difference in the decision that the jury ultimately made.

The time and effort you put into my representation day and night, day after day, overwhelmed me and my family. It was obvious to anyone watching the case that you were not any ordinary lawyer just handling a case – you believed in your client and the harm that was done to me by those multinational corporations. And the jury believed you.

My hope is that just you know how much your kindness and care meant to us, and it will not be forgotten. Thanks again for all the work you did on my behalf. My family and I are forever grateful.

Phil Depoian

I can’t say enough good things about Jay. What separated him from other lawyers is that he really listened to what I had to say. He made sure that my family and I were aware and part of the process and informed me of each step that was being taken and what outcomes I might expect. He went above and beyond and won my case. Jean

Jean U.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to once again say thank you…. It was my great pleasure to have met you and watched you work… You are truly a remarkable man and I won’t forget the respect and dignity that you showed my husband.

Virginia W.