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- Principles Values | Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
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
- Best Lawyers in America (2023) | Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
Our Legacy The current partners of Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. stand on the shoulders of many of our deceased and retired lawyers. Each of who have helped establish our regional and national reputation. I. Leake Wornom, Jr. - (1926 - 2008) Thomas R. Watkins - (1925 - 1995) Neal J. Patten - (1917 - 2009) Stanley W. Drucker - (1931 - 2010) William M. Martin, III Benjamin A. Williams, III Alan A. Diamonstein Henry D. Garnett, Jr. - (1944 - 2023) Donald N. Patten
- 2022 Top CoVa Biz Lawyers| Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
2022 Top CoVa Biz Lawyers Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, LC (PWHD) is pleased to announce that our attorneys were named to CoVa Biz Magazine’s 2022 Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia. Robert R. Hatten Product Liability James H. Shoemaker, Jr. Labor and Employment Law
- Roundup | Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION Roundup Read More Products Liability Home Asbestos Benzene Exposure Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit CPAP Machines Hernia Mesh Medical Devices Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Sunscreen and Benzene Talc Zantac Contact Us Monsanto’s Roundup® contains Glyphosate and a surfactant that have been proven in multiple trials to cause non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in humans. Roundup® contains a surfactant that opens the pores of the weed it is sprayed on in order to cause the weed to absorb the Glyphosate more readily. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants. It prevents the plants from making certain proteins that are needed for plant growth. Roundup® also contains other “inert” ingredients that increase the potency of the mixture. The surfactant also works on the human body, opening the pores on human skin so that it may absorb Glyphosate that is spilled or sprayed onto the skin of a worker. The combination of the Glyphosate, the surfactant, and the other ingredients has been found to cause non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Monsanto’s warnings on this product fail to warn users of the cancer risk. Juries in recent cases have awarded millions of dollars in damages to workers suffering from non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. One jury awarded $289 million to a school grounds keeper who developed non-Hodgkin Lymphoma as a result of routine occupational use of Roundup®. Another jury awarded $80 million with $75 million in punitive damages, for Monsanto’s willful and wanton conduct. Plaintiffs in these cases and others have alleged that Monsanto failed to provide adequate warnings or other clinically relevant information and data regarding the appropriate use of its Roundup® products and the risks associated with the use of or exposure to Roundup® and the Glyphosate contained in it. They also allege that Monsanto knew or should have known of the risk and failed to properly test its product to determine the impact of the product on humans. If you have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and routinely used Roundup® in the past, contact us. We can help. Asbestos Litigation Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Geoffr ey R. Grau Adam M. Hawks
- Disclaimer | Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
DISCLAIMERS Content Is Information Only, Not Advice Thank you for visiting the web site of Patten, Wornom, Hatten and Diamonstein, L.C., ("PWHD"). The information contained on the PWHD Web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The contents of this site are not and should not be construed as legal advice. The web site is not an offer to perform services on any matter. This Web site contains general information from a variety of sources and might not reflect current legal developments, verdicts or settlements. We do not undertake to update material in our web site to reflect subsequent legal or other developments. No Relationship Or Obligation Arises from Use of the Site The law differs in every jurisdiction, and you should not rely on any opinion except that of an attorney you have retained, who has a professional duty to advise you after being fully informed of all the pertinent facts, and who is licensed in the applicable state, and is familiar with the applicable law. Internet subscribers and online readers should seek professional counsel about their legal rights and remedies. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information found this site. Any actions or decisions about your legal rights should be based on the particular facts and circumstances of your situation, and appropriate legal advice from an attorney who has agreed to represent you in your particular matter. PWHD expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based upon any information or other contents of this site. Viewing the PWHD site, or communicating with PWHD by Internet e-mail or through this site, does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship with anyone. The content and features on this site do not create, and are not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship, and shall not be construed as legal advice. This content and features of this web site, including means to submit a question or information, do not constitute an offer to represent you. Confidentiality is Not Guaranteed Any information sent to Patten, Wornom, Hatten and Diamonstein, L.C., via Internet e-mail or through the Web site is not secure and is done on a non-confidential basis. PWHD respects the privacy of any person who contacts our firm, and we will make reasonable efforts to keep information private, but because of the nature of Internet communications and the absence of an attorney/client relationship, we cannot promise or guarantee confidentiality. Additional Terms of Use Any use of this Site is subject to the complete Terms of Use . By using this Site, you agree to these Terms as well as the Disclaimer provisions on this page. DISCLAIMER - THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR ADVICE. The content provided on this site, such as documents, text, graphics, images2, or other materials, are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition or for any questions you may have regarding a health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this site. Links to other sites are provided for information only. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not constitute endorsement by Patten, Wornom, Hatten and Diamonstein, L.C.
- 2022 Super Lawyers | Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
2022 Super Lawyers Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein (PWHD) is excited to celebrate with our attorneys that have been named to the 2022 Super Lawyers List. About Super Lawyers Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state are selected to the Super Lawyers List, which evaluates lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Virginia Super Lawyers can be found by searching the directory online at superlawyers.com 17th time selected as a Super Lawyer Donald N. Patten Donald Patten, a Newport News attorney, has represented individuals and businesses in product liability and negligence actions, commercial contract disputes and real estate business matters for over 50 years. Patten, who represents firm clients in multi-jurisdictional asbestos related bankruptcy proceedings, has been named in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2001 and has been chosen as a Virginia Super Lawyer every year since 2006. He is a former President of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and has been awarded the highest AV ranking by the Martindale-Hubbell® lawyer rating service. Approximately 10% of all attorneys hold an AV Preeminent Rating, a designation trusted worldwide by buyers and referrers of legal services. 17th time selected as a Super Lawyer Robert R. Hatten For over 40 years Bobby Hatten has been a pioneer and national leader in asbestos litigation, prosecuting cases across Virginia and the nation for shipyard workers, Navy veterans, industrial workers, and their families. His work has established landmark decisions relating to maritime jurisdiction, statutes of limitations, conflicts of law, monetary damages, and product liability. For over 25 years he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America and chosen by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for 2019. In 2010 he was chosen to be a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. VTLA, ATLA, and Lawyers Weekly have each conferred special advocacy awards for his many contributions to the law. Jury verdict in the Top 10 Verdicts in Virginia for 8 consecutive years (2006-2013) and 2016. 16th time selected as a Super Lawyer James H. Shoemaker, Jr. Jamie Shoemaker has served as lead counsel in very significant employment cases around the U.S. resulting in numerous six and seven figure recoveries. He is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Highly experienced in complex litigation, Jamie has served as lead counsel or co-lead counsel in several False Claims Act Qui Tam matters involving various types of healthcare fraud and fraud against the Department of Defense. In 2019, he served as lead counsel representing the successful whistleblower resulting in the $1.4 billion recovery against Reckitt Benckiser Group and a related $600 million recovery against a former RBG subsidiary. As of 2019, this was the largest opioid-related fraud settlement in U.S. history.
- Hugh B. McCormick, III | Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C.
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
- Whistleblower / Qui Tam | Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
LITIGATION AREA Whistleblower / Qui Tam Whistleblower (also known as Qui Tam) cases under the Federal False Claims Act, state acts, or government agency whistleblower program, such as the SEC or IRS whistleblower programs, are complex. While successful cases can lead to substantial recoveries by both the government and the whistleblower, not every case is a strong one. In general, the most successful cases are ones in which the government takes an interest and “intervenes.” A skilled whistleblower attorney understands how those intervention decisions are made and know how to position the case to increase the likelihood of intervention. The PWHD Whistleblower team understands the difficulties that whistleblowers face in deciding whether to pursue a case. We recognize that for some whistleblowers, the decision could have an enormous impact on their professional lives. That is why we take great care to counsel whistleblowers not only about the strengths and weaknesses of their case, but also about the road ahead that may await someone who blows the whistle on fraud. Successful False Claims Act whistleblower cases can require significant resources – both in developing the case that is filed and, in some instances, in litigating against the defendant. PWHD has those resources. In cases involving complex, fraudulent schemes in the world of business, finance, and health care, we have helped our clients recover the profits and penalties due when fraud and wrongdoing occurs. For a confidential case evaluation, please contact us at 1.888.563.1378 . We handle cases nationwide in all 50 states. The Anti Fraud Law Group at PWHD is an integral part of a nationally recognized plaintiffs’ litigation firm. When you choose PWHD to handle your whistleblower lawsuit, you can expect your case to be backed by big-firm resources and your journey through the legal process to be handled with boutique-firm personalized attention. If you are aware of fraud or illegal activity that you are considering reporting, we can advise you about your rights and how to protect yourself as a whistleblower. Call Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein today at (757) 223-4536 for your free and confidential consultation. We help whistleblowers pursue justice for fraud against the government and recover awards for their efforts in cases involving: Health Care Fraud Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Pharmaceutical Fraud Contractor Fraud 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 Whether your case falls under the Federal False Claims Act, state acts, or government agency whistleblower program, such as the SEC or IRS whistleblower programs, our attorneys have the experience and resources necessary to steer your case through years of the legal process. We are committed to seeing that justice is served and you are rewarded for coming forward as a whistleblower. Are you ready to blow the whistle on fraud against the government and claim your reward for providing necessary information to the case? Call our experienced whistleblower lawyers today at (757) 223-4536 for your consultation, which is always free and confidential. Whistleblower / Qui Tam Attorney Contact PWHD James H. Shoemaker, Jr.
- Sunscreen and Benzene | Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION Sunscreen & Benzene 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 Talc Zantac Contact Us Valisure®, a firm that independently checks the chemical composition of medications before they reach consumers, recently tested many different sunscreen products for the presence of toxic substances. As a result of these tests, Valisure® discovered that many sunscreens on the market have alarming levels of benzene. What is Benzene? Benzene is typically a byproduct of oil, gasoline, and other volatile substances and processes. The toxicity of benzene has been known since at least 1897 and the International Agency for Research On Cancer (“IARC”) has classified benzene as a Group 1 human carcinogen that has been linked to the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The FDA likewise recognizes the high danger of benzene and lists it as a “Class 1 solvent” that should not be employed in the manufacture of drug substances and products because of its unacceptable proximity. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers working with benzene wear protective equipment if they expect to be exposed to concentrations in excess of 0.1 parts per million (ppm). Sunscreen Products Valisure® found that some of the sunscreen products tested had levels of benzene that surpassing 2 ppm or “over 400 times the threshold for systemic carcinogenicity assessment for at least one sunscreen active ingredient.” May 24, 2021 Valisure® Citizen Petition to FDA, at 2 (hereinafter Valisure® Petition). Valisure® also found that some sunscreens have no benzene contamination whatsoever, meaning that benzene apparently is not a necessary ingredient for sunscreen and there are reasonable and feasible alternatives. Valisure’s citizen’s petition to the FDA revealed that fourteen different sunscreen products had benzene contamination exceeding 2 ppm. Ten of these products were sold under the Neutrogena brand, two were sold under the CVS Health brand, and one each were sold under the Sun Bum and Fruit of the Earth brands. Thirteen of these products were spray products, while the one Fruit of the Earth product was a gel. Twenty-six additional sunscreen products contained benzene contamination from 0.1 ppm to 2 ppm. The majority of these were Neutrogena branded sunscreen, but they also include Banana Boat, CVS Health, SunBurnt, Goodsense, Raw Elements, TopCare Everyday, and EltaMD branded products. Though most were sprays, they also included lotions and gels. As one clinician and researcher from Yale commented: “Considering that human skin has a large total surface area (~1.85 m2), and that ~28.5 g of sunscreen is needed per application to properly cover that skin surface, it follows then that there is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products. The total mass of sunscreen required to cover and protect the human body, in single daily application or repeated applications daily, means that even benzene at 0.1 ppm in a sunscreen could expose people to excessively high nanogram amounts of benzene.” Valisure® Petition, at 17 (quoting Email from Dr. Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, New Haven, CT). PWHD is investigating cases involving personal injury or death as a result of benzene contamination of certain sunscreen products. If you or a loved one are a longtime user of sunscreen products and have been diagnosed with a benzene-related disease such as Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, or other blood diseases, please contact PWHD today for a free, NO COST consultation by calling 757-223-4500 or filling out our online contact form . Products Liability Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III.
- Personal Injury & Wrongful Death | Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
LITIGATION AREA Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation Our Approach Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of car crashes and trucking crashes obtain justice for their injuries, and maximum compensation from the parties responsible in causing them harm. On average, there is one car crash every five minutes and 144 people injured per day from car crashes. Commercial trucking crashes also occur every day, and in 2020, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ annual Virginia Traffic Crash Facts reported that there were 4,296 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles alone, 1,605 of which involved injury and 93 fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed because of a car crash or trucking crash, our personal injury attorneys can help. Our Experience in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation Since 1954, the Virginia trial lawyers at Patten, Wornom, Hatten, & Diamonstein, L.C. have successfully prosecuted serious and complex personal injury and wrongful death actions. During the past 25 years, they have won compensation for thousands of asbestos product liability claims and have become national leaders in mass tort litigation. They are also leaders of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. Today, PWHD's trial lawyers are at the forefront of personal injury litigation against reckless drivers, negligent health care providers and nursing homes, and manufacturers and suppliers of dangerously defective products. To view a complete list of personal injury cases accepted by the firm, please view our practice areas. For the past several decades, our Virginia personal injury law firm has dedicated its practice to helping accident victims obtain justice for their injuries and maximum compensation from the parties responsible for causing them harm. With its roots in asbestos litigation, Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein has seen the devastating effects another’s negligence can have on an individual and has dedicated its practice to ensuring those who fail to provide a reasonable level of care, whether in a hospital or on the roadway, are held accountable for their actions. Providing both aggressive representation and compassionate advice, our Virginia accident attorneys have successfully represented car crash, medical malpractice and other accident victims, building a strong and enviable track record of results. Our attorneys have successfully represented personal injury victims in the following areas: Car Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Tractor Trailer Accidents Premises Liability Brain and Spinal Injury Pedestrian Accidents Slip and Fall Accidents Uninsured Motorist Claims Dog Bites Boating Accidents Maritime Litigation Jones Act Litigation No amount of money can replace a loved one in the event of an unexpected accident, but there are instances in which surviving loved ones may have an outlet to pursue justice and compensation to assist with finances in an unstable time. Essentially, when an individual dies as a result of another’s negligence, certain family members may be able to pursue a Virginia wrongful death lawsuit, in which compensation for medical bills, loss of spousal services and wages and other damages may be available. At our law firm, our Newport News wrongful death attorneys understand that taking legal action and recovering monetary damages will not ease the anguish that accompanies a loved one’s death. It can, however, provide some peace of mind and offer compensation for expenses that would not have been incurred if it hadn’t been for the negligence of another individual or entity. To find out if you are eligible for a Virginia wrongful death lawsuit, complete our free, no obligation case review form today. Our Virginia wrongful death lawyers represent surviving loved ones of those who passed away in the following types of accidents: Truck accidents Car crashes Motorcycle accidents Nursing home abuse Medical errors Premises liability As local Newport News attorneys, our firm has obtained a well-known reputation as providing compassionate and aggressive services to those who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one. To find out how we can help, contact us at 757-223-4545 today or online for a free case review . There is a time limit for filing Virginia wrongful death claims, so do not hesitate to reach out to our team of experienced attorneys, who are ready to listen to your claim and outline the steps which may be possible to death with both the emotional and financial ramifications of your loss. Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Attorneys James H. Shoemaker, Jr. Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Personal Injury Attorney
- Asbestos Disease Claims | Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein
ASBESTOS LITIGATION Asbestos Disease Claims Read More Asbestos Exposure What is Asbestos? What is Mesothelioma? What did Companies Know? Occupations at Risk Ship Builders, and Navy Veterans Contact Us There are legal remedies for most people who suffer disease or disability as a result of exposure to asbestos. These remedies are way of recovering compensation for your injury. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease like Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, or Asbestosis, call us at 757-223-4500 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation. The Principal Remedies Are: a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products to which you were exposed; § 524(g) Trust claims on the trusts set aside for asbestos victims by companies that are no longer in litigation; a worker's compensation claim against the employer that you worked for when you were exposed to asbestos; other disability benefits including veterans and social security disability benefits. Some or all of these remedies may be available to you, but whatever remedy is available, it is best pursued with the assistance of an attorney. Be aware that most jurisdictions have time limits for filings claims. These time limits are called “statutes of limitation” and generally prohibit lawsuits or other claims for injuries that were diagnosed or known to you for more than a specified period of years. Statutes of limitation vary depending on the jurisdiction. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we encourage you to seek the advice of an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your claims may be prosecuted in a timely manner. In the event that you or a relative or friend is afflicted by an asbestos illness, call us at 757-223-4545 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation. We will come to you. We have successfully handled thousands of asbestos-related claims since the 1970s. Asbestos Litigation Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Geoffr ey R. Grau Adam M. Hawks