HOUSTON, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sterling Chemicals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SCHI) announced that a jury in Cincinnati, Ohio, has found that Houston-based Sterling Chemicals, Inc. was not negligent in connection with an on-the-job personal injury case and awarded plaintiff Patrick McCarthy nothing. The plaintiff's attorneys had sought $62 million for medical expenses, loss of wages, emotional pain and suffering and loss of companionship with his children.
The trial, believed to be the longest civil case in Cincinnati's Hamilton County history, lasted for more than three months. The jury deliberated just two days before rendering its verdict of zero negligence and zero damages in Sterling's favor.
"This was such a tragic accident," said John V. Genova, President and CEO of Sterling. "While we were gratified that justice prevailed, we regret that the incident happened. There are no winners here. Fluke accidents do happen, and this is just one of them."
Representing Sterling Chemicals were Fred Raschke of Mills Shirley, LLP, the oldest continuous law firm in Texas, and Robert Tait and C.W. "Dub" O'Neill of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP, which has offices in Houston and Columbus, Ohio, among other U.S. locations.
Sterling Chemicals, Inc. is a leading North American producer of selected petrochemicals used to manufacture a wide array of consumer goods and industrial products throughout the world. Its primary products are acetic acid and plasticizers.
The information in this news release relating to matters that are not historical facts constitutes forward-looking information covered by the safe harbor created by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding Sterling and its subsidiary. The estimates, forecasts and statements contained in or implied by the forward-looking information speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to evaluate and predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecasted by or in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted by or in the forward-looking information include the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and global economic conditions, industry production capacity and operating rates, the supply-demand balance for Sterling's products, competitive products and pricing pressures, increases in raw material costs, federal and state regulatory developments, Sterling's high financial leverage, the availability of skilled personnel and operating hazards attendant to the industry, as well as the other risk factors discussed in Sterling's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sterling's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Sterling assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.
Sterling Chemicals, Inc.
CONTACT: John Beaver of Sterling Chemicals, Inc., +1-713-654-9548
Web Site: http://www.sterlingchemicals.com/
