Attorney Paul Y. Lee's Legal Cases

Defective and dangerous products

Ortiz v. Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Assn.

Oct 09, 2009

OUTCOME: Dismissal of Paul's client

Paul represented one of several defendants in an ongoing "popcorn lung" case wherein 3 former employees of a food flavoring manufacturing plant claim that they each sustained bronchiolitis obliterans ( ... a severe, non-curable fixed obstructive lung disease requiring lung transplantation) as the result of their exposure to various chemicals utilized in making flavoring products, including diacetyl (the primary target chemical). Paul and another attorney who represented manufacturers of a non-diacetyl product pursuaded the court to allow their clients to engage in early exchange of expert witness information even though the remaining parties were precluded from doing so. After Paul noticed the deposition of plaintiffs' expert and gave notice of aggressive expert discovery yet to come, two of the plaintiffs dismissed the lawsuit against Paul's client. The third plaintiff settled for a nominal amount. Most of the more than dozen defendants (several of whom are non-diacetyl defendants) still remain in the case. After the dismissal of Paul's client, one of the defendants settled with 2 of the 3 plaintiffs for $3.49 million. The litigation is still active. (Updated March 2012.)

Consumer protection

Unlimited Adjusting Group v. Yi

May 08, 2009

OUTCOME: Default Judgment in favor of Paul's client

Paul represented plaintiff in this fraud case. Defendant diverted $6,300,000 of plaintiff's money to defendant's personal use instead of investing it for plaintiff. Paul obtained a default judgment f ... or $9,988,385, including prejudgment interest and costs.

Personal injury

Navarrette v. J.H. Armington, Inc.

Apr 20, 2009

OUTCOME: Judgment in favor of Paul's client

Paul represented one of many defendants in a consolidated action involving approximately 200 plaintiffs, all former employees of Price-Pfister who alleged various physical ailments resulting from expos ... ure to various chemical products. After numerous challenges to the pleadings based on statute of limitations and other grounds, defendants, including Paul's client, were dismissed from the lawsuit. Plaintiffs appealed, but California Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal.

Defective and dangerous products

Francis v. Fougera, a Division of Altana, Inc.

Nov 24, 2008

OUTCOME: Judgment in favor of Paul's client

Paul represented a pharmaceutical manufacturing defendant in this product liability action. Two plaintiffs contended that as the result of a defective surgical lubricant utilized in operating procedure ... s, plaintiffs sustained severe infections and allergic reactions. Paul obtained a defense judgment pursuant to a motion for summary judgment against one of the two plaintiffs. Thereafter, the second plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case on the eve of the trial.

Personal injury

Wedertz v.Precision Pump & Machine-KSB, Inc.

Sep 10, 2007

OUTCOME: Dismissal of Paul's client

Paul represented a manufacturing defendant in this consolidated action involving a severe injury and death resulting from an "explosion" of a "prefactionator bottoms pump" containing extremely hot crud ... e oil. After Paul conducted extensive discovery and prepared a motion for summary judgment, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed his client. (At the time of our dismissal, the case was still pending as to other defendants.)

Defective and dangerous products

Garcia v. Fisher Scientific International, Inc.

Mar 26, 2007

OUTCOME: Favorable Settlement

In this action plaintiff alleged that during the course of his 21-year employment at a wheel rim manufacturing plant he was exposed to various chemical products manufactured or distributed by multiple ... defendants, including Paul's client. Plaintiff alleged that he sustained chronic myelogenous leukemia due to exposure to benzene in various chemical products. After Paul filed a motion for summary judgment based on causation and lack of exposure data, the case settled for favorable terms.

Wrongful death

Selby v. High Desert Antelope Valley Nephrology Medical Group

Jan 24, 2007

OUTCOME: Favorable Settlement

This was a wrongful death action brought by the wife and children of a painter who died of membranous glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease. Palintiffs alleged that decedent was exposed to approximatel ... y 158 different paint, solvent and related products during his seven year employment at an aircraft manufacturing plant. Paul represented one of 29 chemical manufacturers and distributors. Following completion of substantial discovery, and with Paul's motion for summary judgment pending, plaintiffs settled with Paul's client for favorable terms.

Personal injury

Jones v. Rack Source

Apr 19, 2005

OUTCOME: Dismissal of Paul's client

In this action, Paul represented a component manufacturer defendant. Plaintiffs alleged that they sustained serious injuries (including serious brain damage leading to a permanent vegetative state) wh ... en defects in a four story industrial wire shelving system caused plaintiffs to fall from the top floor of the shelving system. After Paul filed a motion for summary judgment plaintiffs dismissed Paul's client for waiver of costs.

Defective and dangerous products

Barajas v. Doe Defendants

Sep 22, 2004

OUTCOME: Favorable Settlement

This was an action against approximately 26 chemical manufacturers (including Paul's client). Plaintiff alleged that she sustained obstructive pulmonary disease as the result of workplace exposure to ... boric acid, ammonium chloride and other "toxic" chemicals. After lengthy discovery, Paul achieved a settlement for a nuisance amount.

Wrongful death

Workman v. Poma Distributing Company, Inc.

Apr 19, 2004

OUTCOME: Favorable settlement

This was a wrongful death action wherein plaintiffs alleged that the decedent, a truck driver for a grocery chain, died after contracting myelodyplastic syndrome (a form of leukemia) as the result of o ... ngoing exposure to diesel exhaust, motor vehicle fules and gasoline exhaust. After Paul conducted aggressive discovery (including expert discovery), the case settled for favorable terms.

Paul Y. Lee's Legal Cases (25)

Ortiz v. Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Assn.

Unlimited Adjusting Group v. Yi

Navarrette v. J.H. Armington, Inc.

Francis v. Fougera, a Division of Altana, Inc.

Wedertz v.Precision Pump & Machine-KSB, Inc.

Garcia v. Fisher Scientific International, Inc.

Selby v. High Desert Antelope Valley Nephrology Medical Group

Jones v. Rack Source

Barajas v. Doe Defendants

Workman v. Poma Distributing Company, Inc.