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Our estate attorneys focus on implementing estate plans to ensure that one’s assets are transferred to the right individuals, at the right time, and in the most efficient manner possible. Our estate attorneys are experienced in drafting both wills and trusts to help to guide you in what type of plan best fits your needs and accomplishes your wishes.

PWHD is pleased to announce that Governor Northam signed HB 2139 into law. This bill amends Virginia Code § 8.01-249 by providing a more reasonable time limit for Virginians suffering from latent diseases caused by toxic substances and defective products to bring a claim. Delegate Elizabeth Guzman was the Chief Patron of this bill, which will go into effect on July 1, 2021.  Governor Northam Signs LandMark Product Liability Bill Into Law Read More Products Liability Home Asbestos Benzene Exposure Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit CPAP Machines Hernia Mesh Medical Devices Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Roundup Sunscreen and Benzene Talc Zantac Contact Us PWHD is pleased to announce that Governor Northam signed HB 2139 into law. This bill amends Virginia Code § 8.01-249 by providing a more reasonable time limit for Virginians suffering from latent diseases caused by toxic substances and defective products to bring a claim. Delegate Elizabeth Guzman was the Chief Patron of this bill, which will go into effect on July 1, 2021. Under prior law, many victims' claims were time barred before they even knew they were injured. This bill corrects this inequity by providing that the statute of limitation in a case involving a latent disease or injury resulting from exposure to a substance or the use of a product does not start to run until the injured person knew or should have known of the injury and its causal-connection to an injury-causing substance or product. PWHD attorneys have worked hard for many years to promote this change to Virginia law. During the 2021 session, PWHD products liability partner, Robert R. Hatten, testified in the House Courts of Justice and Senate Judiciary Committees about the need for this change, and the inherent injustice that existed for those suffering from latent diseases in Virginia under existing law. This bill was supported by a 2020 Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision, which applied Virginia’s statute of limitations to dismiss a latent disease claim filed by a coal miner against the manufacturer of a defective respirator. The court’s opinion characterized the current Virginia statute of limitations for latent disease claims as tantamount to a “get out of jail free card” for manufacturers of dangerous products because the time limit on these claims expires before the victim is even diagnosed with the disease, much less is aware of the cause of that disease. See Adams v. American Optical Corp., 979 F.3d 248 (2020). As the court observed, Virginia’s law is manifestly unfair because an individual with a latent disease or injury will never get his or her day in court. This inherent inequity was based upon the 1981 Virginia Supreme Court decision Locke v. Johns-Manville Corp., 221 Va. 951, 275 S.E.2d 900, which held that the statute of limitations for latent disease claims “do[es] not accrue when the diagnosis is first made or when symptoms first occur.” Instead, the court held, the statute of limitations begins to run when any "injury, however slight" first occurs in the body, a time that “expert medical testimony may demonstrate to have occurred weeks, months, or even years before the onset of symptoms.” The Court concluded that “the adoption of a discovery rule which triggers the running of the statute only when the injury is discovered or should have been discovered in the exercise of reasonable diligence must be accomplished by the General Assembly.” Following Locke, in 1985, Robert R. Hatten spearheaded the passage of statutes by the Virginia General Assembly to change the time limit for filing asbestos claims, so that the time limit did not begin to run until an individual received a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease from his or her physician. Unfortunately, the change regarding asbestos-related diseases did not address other toxic and carcinogenic substances. The new amendment to Virginia Code § 8.01-249 signed into law by Governor Northam corrects this inequity and brings Virginia law in line with the majority of other states by stating that the statute of limitation does not start to run the injured person knows or should know of the injury and its causal-connection to an injury-causing substance or product. The attorneys at PWHD bring over 70 years of litigation experience to a variety of complex matters. PWHD is a local firm with a national reputation. Starting as a pioneer and champion of the rights of asbestos victims, PWHD’s product liability practice has grown over time to handle a wide variety of defective product lawsuits, including breast implants, hernia mesh, Zantac, Roundup®, Biocell, Benzene, and talc. If you have been injured as a result of a defective product design, manufacturing defect, or a failure to warn of the hazards of a product, please contact us for a free case evaluation . We can help. Products Liability Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Jean nette M. Dodson-O'Connell Daniel R. O. Long Geoffr ey R. Grau

Geoffrey R. Grau is an associate attorney with PWHD Mr. Grau joined the firm in 2022 with a primary focus on representing asbestos victims and their families. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Grau completed a two-year post-graduate judicial clerkship with the 7th Judicial Circuit in Newport News, throughout his tenure he clerked for the Honorable Gary A. Mills, Bryant L. Sugg, Christopher R. Papile, Tyneka L.D. Flythe, Matthew W. Hoffman, Timothy S. Fisher, and C. Peter Tench. GEOFFREY R. GRAU ATTORNEY Geoffrey R. Grau is an associate attorney with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. Mr. Grau joined the firm in 2022 with a primary focus on representing asbestos victims and their families. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Grau completed a two-year post-graduate judicial clerkship with the 7th Judicial Circuit in Newport News, wherein throughout his tenure he clerked for the Honorable Gary A. Mills, Bryant L. Sugg, Christopher R. Papile, Tyneka L.D. Flythe, Matthew W. Hoffman, Timothy S. Fisher, and C. Peter Tench. While attending William & Mary Law School, Mr. Grau externed for the Honorable Raymond A. Jackson, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, as well as the City of Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. He has also served as an extern with the William & Mary Law School Virginia Coastal Policy Center and as Senior Article’s Editor with the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, having published articles in both the former and the latter. Mr. Grau readily seeks to apply the skills necessary to effectively assist his native community in Newport News and the greater Tidewater Virginia area. Email: ggrau@pwhd.com Phone: (757) 223-4555 Practice Areas: Asbestos Litigation vCard Contact Education: College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law – Juris Doctor Christopher Newport University – Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, History Admissions: Virginia State Bar Honors: Senior Articles Editor, William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review Member, Alpha Chi Theta Honor Society Member, Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society Associations: I’Anson Hoffman American Inn of Court Newport News Bar Association

Stay up to date with PWHD. Call (757) 223-4500 to speak with an attorney today. News Updates Robert R. Hatten, Esq. Awarded Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent For Thirty Years October 25, 2022 Rector Robert R. Hatten, Esq. CNU Recognition September 23, 2022 2022 Super Lawyers September 9, 2022 Best Lawyers in America (Edition 2023) August 18, 2022 PWHD Attorneys Named to CoVa Biz Magazine’s 2022 Top Lawyers in Coastal Virginia February 09, 2022 Donald N. Patten receives honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from William & Mary Law School November 19, 2021 Lung Cancer Awareness November 16, 2021 Hatten Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa November 3, 2021 Mesothelioma Awareness Day September 26, 2021 CPAP Machines August 8, 2021 Soundscapes 2021 Golf Classic presented by PWHD June 8, 2021 Hatten Speaks at CNU Commencements for 2020 & 2021 May 26, 2021 16th Annual Food Frenzy to Benefit the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank April 1, 2021 Governor Northam Signs Landmark Product Liability Bill into Law. March 26, 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 January 27, 2021 Rector Robert R. Hatten, Esq. Statement on Black Lives Matter and Social Justice CNU Board of Visitors June 04, 2020

Asbestos, a set of six naturally occurring minerals, has been used for more than 2000 years for its heat resistance and insulation properties. Three of these asbestos types, chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite, were actively mined for their heat resistant properties. The remaining three types, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite, were primarily non-commercial contaminants in other types of asbestos ore or in talc ore. ASBESTOS LITIGATION What Is Asbestos? Read More Asbestos Exposure What is Mesothelioma? What did Companies Know? Occupations at Risk Ship Builders, and Navy Veterans Asbestos Disease Claims Contact Us What is Asbestos? Asbestos, a set of six naturally occurring minerals, has been used for more than 2000 years for its heat resistance and insulation properties. Three of these asbestos types, chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite, were actively mined for their heat resistant properties. The remaining three types, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite, were primarily non-commercial contaminants in other types of asbestos ore or in talc ore. When was Asbestos Utilized and Why? Asbestos use gained popularity in the late 1800s during the Industrial Revolution and peaked during World War II. By the early 1900s, however, it was reported that inhaling asbestos dust and fibers could cause deadly lung diseases. Asbestos was used in a variety of products which were commonly used in shipbuilding and repair, in construction at industrial sites, and in railroads and the automotive industry. Veterans, shipyard workers, railroad workers, and those involved in construction and maintenance at power plants, refineries and other industrial sites where asbestos products were commonly used or installed are at an increased risk of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Family members of those workers are also at an increased risk of asbestos-related diseases. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease like Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, or Asbestosis, call us at 757-223-4545 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our contact form and we'll contact you. Asbestos Litigation Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Geoffr ey R. Grau Adam M. Hawks

Hugh McCormick is a first chair trial lawyer and partner with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, LC, where he represents individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by mesothelioma and other asbestos related lung diseases. Mr. McCormick has litigated and tried cases involving mesothelioma in state and federal courts for over 20 years, and he has served on numerous trial teams that have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts for hardworking shipyard workers and navy sailors. HUGH B. McCORMICK, III PARTNER Hugh McCormick is a first chair trial lawyer and partner with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, LC, where he represents individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by mesothelioma and other asbestos related lung diseases. Mr. McCormick has litigated and tried cases involving mesothelioma in state and federal courts for over 20 years, and he has served on numerous trial teams that have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts for hardworking shipyard workers and navy sailors. Two of these verdicts were reported in Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly as “Virginia’s Largest Verdicts” for 2008 (#10) and 2010 (#5). Mr. McCormick grew up in Newport News, and has lived on the Virginia peninsula for over 45 years. Because of this background, he has had the privilege of representing friends, neighbors, church members, and parents of school mates who have been victimized by corporate indifference and greed. Education: Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law - Juris Doctor Washington & Lee University - Bachelor of Science Biology Admissions: Supreme Court of Virginia United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia Honors: Best Lawyers in America (2021 & 2022) Awarded "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory Super Lawyers Associations: Virginia State Bar American Association for Justice Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Governors 2006-2010) Newport News Bar Association Email: hughmccormick@pwhd.com Phone: (757) 223-4556 Practice Areas: Asbestos Litigation Benzene Exposure CPAP Machines Hernia Mesh Jones Act Litigation Maritime Litigation Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Roundup Litigation Sunscreen and Benzene Talc Litigation Workers Compensation Zantac vCard Contact

Our estate attorneys focus on implementing estate plans to ensure that one’s assets are transferred to the right individuals, at the right time, and in the most efficient manner possible. Our estate attorneys are experienced in drafting both wills and trusts to help to guide you in what type of plan best fits your needs and accomplishes your wishes.

PWHD attorneys have over 40 years of experience representing injured workers in claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act against their current or former employers.  Based on our extensive experience and knowledge, our attorneys thoroughly evaluate the locations, dates, and circumstances of our client’s asbestos exposure to determine the client’s best interests... LITIGATION AREA Workers' Compensation PWHD attorneys have over 40 years of experience representing injured workers in claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act against their current or former employers. Based on our extensive experience and knowledge, our attorneys thoroughly evaluate the locations, dates, and circumstances of our client’s asbestos exposure to determine the client’s best interests with respect to these programs and the intricacies of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. We also have experience successfully pursuing workers compensation benefits for employees and their families who have suffered from traumatic injuries and deaths on the job, as well as non-asbestos related occupational injuries. If you have been injured or diagnosed with a disease as a result of an injury or exposure at work, contact us. We can help. Workers' Compensation Attorney Hugh B. McCormick, III. Contact PWHD

Hernias can occur in a variety of ways, but most occur when an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This often results in a bulge in the groin or stomach region that aches and burns. Depending on where the hernia occurs, it may also cause swelling of the testicles, heartburn, and vomiting. The primary concern with a hernia is small intestine strangulation. This occurs when the hernia blocks blood supply to the small intestines. PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION Hernia Mesh Read More Products Liability Home Asbestos Benzene Exposure Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit CPAP Machines Medical Devices Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Roundup Sunscreen and Benzene Talc Zantac Contact Us What Is A Hernia? Hernias can occur in a variety of ways, but most occur when an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This often results in a bulge in the groin or stomach region that aches and burns. Depending on where the hernia occurs, it may also cause swelling of the testicles, heartburn, and vomiting. The primary concern with a hernia is small intestine strangulation. This occurs wh en the hernia blocks blood supply to the small intestines. Hernias typically require either open or laparoscopic surgery and may also require the use of hernia mesh. Hernia mesh is used to repair both ventral and inguinal hernias. What Are Hernia Mesh Products? There are a wide variety of hernia mesh produc ts. Hernia meshes are loose, flexible meshes that are used during hernia surgery to support weakened or damaged tissue in order to aid in the healing process and prevent future hernias. Some patients who had a hernia mesh implant to treat a hernia have experienced complications including infections, adhesions, hernia recurrence, additional corrective surgery hernia recurrence, bowel perforation or obstruction, or other medical conditions. There are a variety of hernia mesh products still in use today that have not been recalled by the FDA. PWHD’s attorneys are currently investigating hernia mesh claims related to the following products. Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products: PHYSIOMESH Physiomesh Flexible Composite Mesh is a type of polypropylene hernia mesh made and released by Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, Ethicon, in October 2010. Physiomesh is intended for use in laparoscopic surgery and is designed to reinforce the abdominal wall to prevent future hernias from occurring. In April 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance to Physiomesh, meaning Physiomesh was not required to undergo FDA review or clinical trials to evaluate its safety before it was placed on the market. Johnson & Johnson recalled its product in May 2016, after unpublished studies demonstrated that Physiomesh had a higher hernia recurrence and reoperation rate than the average rates of other meshes on the market. The FDA has analyzed potential hernia repair surgery complications in situations where hernia mesh was used, and this review found that the most common adverse effects include pain, infection, hernia recurrence, adhesion, and bowel obstruction. Other potential complications include mesh migration and mesh shrinkage. C.R. BARD HERNIA MESH C.R.Bard is the manufacturer of a variety of hernia mesh products, including SepraMesh, Ventralex, Bard 3D Max, Kugel, Kugel Composix Mesh, PerFix Plug, Ventrio, Ventrio ST, Composix E/X Mesh, Visilex, Spermatix and Marlex. C.R. Bard meshes are made of a material called Marlex HGX-030-01, which is a polypropylene resin. Extensive scientific research shows that polypropylene degrades in the human body. When the material degrades, it can break off inside the body resulting in injuries and complications. PWHD is currently investigating claims for individuals who have undergone hernia surgery involving Physiomesh, C.R. Bard, and other hernia meshes, and who later experienced medical complications. If you or a loved one have undergone hernia surgery using a hernia mesh product and have experienced medical complications, our products liability attorneys would like to talk to you. You can discuss your potential claim with us at no cost by calling us today at 757-223-4500 or filling out our online contact form . Products Liability Attorneys Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III.

We will represent you zealously and to the best of our ability with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein today by calling (757) 223-4500. PRINCIPLES & VALUES PWHD believes that everyone is entitled to prompt, courteous, accurate and ethical legal advice on fair terms. We want to partner with our clients to obtain the very best results possible for the client, depending on the client’s needs and desires. This requires direct, open and honest communication and cooperation between our attorneys, staff members and clients. We endeavor to communicate with our clients on a timely basis, return their phone calls and inquiries promptly, and keep them fully involved in the conduct of their cases. PWHD has a solid appreciation for the civil justice system and right of jury trial. We believe that all people should have the right to request a trial by a jury of their peers, and that they should be able to have their day in court. If your case is one that should be tried, we will represent you zealously and to the best of our ability. If we believe that an option other than trial may be better for your case, we will candidly and respectfully discuss that option with you. Finally, PWHD believes that we have an obligation to support our community and neighbors through various volunteer and not-for-profit enterprises. As a firm, we are constantly learning, growing and seeking ways to improve our services to our clients and community. Through these activities we hope to help at risk children and other vulnerable members of our community to grow and thrive. PWHD History PWHD News

Tom began litigating False Claim (Qui Tam) cases in 2003. He presently devotes his practice exclusively representing relators in State and Federal False Claim matters. Tom’s representation as co-counsel includes several of the most significant recoveries in the history of the US Department of Justice, totaling billions of dollars.Tom was involved in the landmark settlement of Pfizer Inc.’s illegal promotion of false labeling of pharmaceutical products in 2009. C. THOMAS TURBEVILLE, JR. PARTNER Tom began litigating False Claim (Qui Tam) cases in 2003. He presently devotes his practice exclusively representing relators in State and Federal False Claim matters. Tom’s representation as co-counsel includes several of the most significant recoveries in the history of the US Department of Justice, totaling billions of dollars. Tom was involved in the landmark settlement of Pfizer Inc.’s illegal promotion of false labeling of pharmaceutical products in 2009, resulting in a civil and criminal recovery of $2.3 billion dollars. Recently in 2019 and 2020 Tom served as co-counsel for the prime relator in assisting the Justice Department to obtain a settlement of $2 billion dollars; the largest case in United States history related to the Opiod crises. Reckitt Benckizer and Indivior pharmaceuticals agreed to pay the recovery to settle their alleged scheme of the illegal promotion Suboxone Film. Tom is a 1983 graduate of the College of William and Mary. He successfully completed the Virginia Law Reader program in 1989. Tom holds Martindale Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating. He has been in private practice since October of 1989. Tom is a member of the Taxpayers Against Fraud. Email: tturbeville@pwhd.com Phone: (757) 223-4595 Practice Areas: Whistleblower / Qui Tam: Heath Care Fraud Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Pharmaceutical Fraud Academic Research Fraud Contractor Fraud Anti-Kickback Statute Procurement Fraud General Services Administration (GSA) Fraud Financial Services Fraud SEC Dodd-Frank Violations Stark Violations IRS Tax Fraud Foreign and Corrupt Practices Nursing Home and Hospice Fraud Education and Grant Fraud vCard Contact

Top 2023 Lawyers in asbestos, product liability, mesothelioma, lung cancer, employment and labor, whistleblower / qui tam, workers' compensation, wills, trusts, and estates administration, and personal injury & wrongful death cases. Call 757-223-4500 today to speak with an attorney at Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. Suffering from Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, or an Injury? Click Here to Get Help with your Asbestos, Product Liability, or Injury Claim Virginia Lawyers With a National Reputation Contact PWHD We ask that you complete all the information in the form below so our lawyers are able to understand your particular needs. If you require immediate assistance, please call us at (757) 223-4500. Disclaimer Submit Contact Us