Kentucky

From the Ashland Indepdendent:

Jury: DuPont negligent in '04 spill

Says plaintiffs are entitled to 10 times the damages they would have otherwise collected

Kenneth Hart/The Independent

Ashland ? A jury has found chemical giant DuPont guilty of gross negligence in a 2004 leak at its Wurtland plant that released clouds of sulfuric acid over large portions of Greenup County.

Because of that negligence, those suing DuPont for health problems they suffered as a result of the release are entitled to 10 times the monetary damages they would have otherwise collected, the jury ruled.

The 10-member jury found in favor of the plaintiffs on Monday after deliberating for about three hours and 40 minutes. The verdict concluded a civil trial that began June 26 in U.S. District Court in Ashland.

Jurors concluded the initial group was entitled to receive about $130,000 in compensatory damages from DuPont. However, the jury also determined the plaintiffs should receive punitive damages equivalent to 10 times what they would have gotten in compensatory damages alone, said Will Wilhoit, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.

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