Texaco non-suited from asbestos case filed over lung cancer death of 45 pack-year cigarette smoker

A week after suing Texaco, Julie Verret-Walker non-suited the company from litigation blaming the oil giant for the lung cancer death of her father, a 45 pack-year cigarette smoker.  

As previously reported, Verret-Walker filed suit against the late John Verret’s long-time employer, Texaco, in Jefferson County District Court, alleging the company negligently exposed him to asbestos which led to his cancer diagnosis.

Court records show that on July 26 the plaintiff filed a notice of nonsuit as too all defendants, stating that she longer wished to pursue her claims and that the defendants be dismissed without prejudice.

According to the lawsuit, from 1968 to 1992 Verret worked at a Texaco facility in Port Arthur as bricklayer and operator. During his employment, he was allegedly exposed to asbestos dust and fibers.

The suit states that on July 27, 2011, Verret died of lung cancer. The suit includes a medical report authored by Dr. Richard Kradin of Massachusetts General Hospital, in which Kradin says, “Verret was a 45 pack-year smoker.”

The plaintiff alleged Texaco negligently exposed Verret to asbestos and as a result, he contracted asbestos-related lung cancer, the suit states.

She was seeking wrongful death damages.

Benjamin Black, attorney for the Houston law firm Heard Robins Cloud & Black, represents her.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. A192-682