Jury decision conflicts with decades of industry operating experience and independent health studies
OXFORD, Miss., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Koppers Inc. expects to file post-trial motions and, if necessary, will appeal any judgment entered on a $169,000 jury verdict awarded against Koppers in the first of its civil cases in federal court in Mississippi that assigns liability for the death of a Grenada, Mississippi woman. Her estate had claimed that emissions from a Koppers wood-treating plant neighboring her home caused her breast cancer. The issue of possible punitive damages is expected to be considered in 7-10 days.
Koppers, a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products used in industries ranging from aluminum to railroads, said the jury verdict in the Sherrie Barnes case is inconsistent with decades of industry operating experience and health studies, which, taken together, show no link between the chemicals used at the plant and the health of employees and neighbors, including the Grenada community.
"The jury's conclusion is inconsistent with our own epidemiological studies, data developed for and provided over the last 25 years to the U.S. EPA, and the company's own occupational health records," said Randall D. Collins, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs for Koppers. "We expect to file post-trial motions and, if necessary, to appeal any judgment entered to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit."
"Our experience over the years, which is supported by significant independent research, is that treated wood products and wood treating chemicals are worked with safely every day -- and they have been for decades," Collins said.
About Koppers
Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, China, the Pacific Rim and South Africa. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the Symbol "KOP". For more information, visit us on the Web: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153 or Michael W. Snyder at 412 227 2131.
SOURCE: Koppers Holdings Inc.
CONTACT: Brian H. McCurrie, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, +1-412-227-2153, or McCurrieBH@koppers.com, or Michael W. Snyder, Director, Investor Relations, +1-412-227-2131, or SnyderMW@koppers.com, both of Koppers Inc.