Theodora Oringher PC is proud to announce a momentous jury trial victory for our client, Paragon Industries, Inc. dba Bedrosians Tile and Stone, in a landmark silicosis case in Los Angeles County Superior Court—Torrance Courthouse. The trial, which began in February 2025 and concluded with a defense verdict on May 29, 2025, is the second silicosis case of its kind to go to verdict in California.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys sought to hold over 60 manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of engineered stone slabs liable for their client’s silicosis and death. In this case, the Decedent’s family claimed damages of approximately $200 million. The Complaint claimed negligence, strict liability – warning defect, strict liability – design defect, fraudulent concealment, and breach of implied warranties. After successful motions for nonsuit, the only claims that went to the jury were negligence and strict liability – design defect. The jury decisively found in Paragon’s favor after less than a day of deliberation, finding no negligence and no design defect in the engineered stone.
This victory follows a prior silicosis verdict against other defendants, before Theodora Oringher’s involvement, where the jury awarded plaintiffs over $50 million, underscoring the high stakes of this latest trial. Led by Tim Heggem and Gina Goldberg, our trial team successfully defended Paragon against similar claims, securing a critical win for the industry. Other Theodora Oringher attorneys instrumental in this success included Antony Kim, John McMahon, Sam Van Der Wall, and paralegal, Jessica Rosas.
We are thrilled with the jury’s decision, which affirms the safety of our client’s products when handled according to Cal/OSHA standards. This outcome is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Theodora Oringher remains committed to defending clients in complex litigation, delivering exceptional results in challenging cases.
