backOn November 6, 2024, King & Spalding secured a victory for Baker Hughes Company subsidiary Dresser, LLC in a bellwether trial alleging trichloroethylene (“TCE”) impacts to the environment surrounding a former Dresser valve manufacturing facility in Pineville, Louisiana. The two bellwether Plaintiffs—selected, following denial of class certification, from the approximately 400 plaintiffs involved in litigation against Dresser—alleged that their properties had been damaged by the presence of TCE. Each sought in damages for diminution in value, mental anguish, and loss of use and enjoyment of their properties.
After an eight-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before delivering a complete defense verdict. The jury found that Dresser, LLC was not liable under Louisiana’s civil law equivalents of negligence, premises liability, or nuisance; moreover, despite finding no liability, the jurors indicated their belief that neither bellwether plaintiff had suffered any damages. Dresser has been investigating and remediating TCE impacts to the environment in the vicinity of its former facility since 2012 under the oversight of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
King & Spalding also represents Dresser and its affiliates in 18 other cases pending in Louisiana state and federal courts related to Dresser’s former Pineville facility.
Tracie Renfroe, Andrew Stakelum, Mandie Cash, and Mitchell Bryant presented the case to the jury. The broader King & Spalding team representing Dresser also includes Val Leppert, Ashley Parrish, Craig Stanfield, Nicole Bronnimann, Cason Hewgley, Vrinda Agarwal, Marissa Grabowski, Yadir Rodriguez, and many others.