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April 20, 2006

Companies ask for new trial in lead-paint case

PROVIDENCE -- Lawyers for three national paint companies found liable for lead-abatement costs in Rhode Island that could exceed $1 billion have asked a Superior Court judge to overturn last month's verdict.

A Providence jury determined that Sherwin Williams Co., Millennium Holdings and NL Industries must clean clean up the paints used generations ago on thousands of Rhode Island homes. The state estimates the cost at between $1 billion and $3 billion.

The paint companies announced today that they have filed briefs in Superior Court that claim the verdict was the result of "a flawed trial," arguing there was no evidence presented that the companies contributed to a public health nuisance in Rhode Island.

Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein has yet to rule on the motions, which were expected because of the impact of the jury's finding. Should Silverstein rule against the paint companies, they could then appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 11:54 AM | Permalink

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