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2022 Top CoVa Biz Lawyers Robert Hatten - Product Liability, Duncan Garnett, Jr - Medical Malpractice Plaintiff, and James Shoemaker, Jr - Labor and Employment. 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

Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. is locally and nationally renowned for its excellence in multiple areas of litigation. Our team is dedicated to fulfilling the legal needs of individuals and businesses. How can we help you? Practice Areas Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. is locally and nationally renowned for its excellence in multiple areas of litigation. Our team is dedicated to fulfilling the legal needs of individuals and businesses. How can we help you? Contact an Attorney What is Asbestos? What is Mesothelioma? What did Companies Know? Occupations at Risk? Ship Builders, and Navy Veterans Asbestos Disease Claims Asbestos Case Evaluation Form Asbestos Litigation Employment Contracts and Severance Negotiations Employment Discrimination Litigation of All Workplace Issues Non-Compete and Restrictive Covenant Litigation Racial Harassment Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the Workplace Wage and Hour Overtime Violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act Workplace Retaliation Wrongful Discharge Employment & Labor Aircraft Accidents Automobile Accidents Boating Accidents Brain and Spinal Injuries Commercial Vehicle and Truck Accidents Dog Bites Jones Act Litigation Maritime Litigation Motorcycle Accidents Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Pedestrian Accidents Premises Liability Slip and Fall Accidents Tractor Trailer Accidents Uninsured Motorist Claims Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Products Liability Asbestos Litigation Benzene Exposure Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Chemical Hair Straighteners CPAP MachinesHernia Mesh Medical Devices Paraquat & Parkinson’s Disease Roundup Litigation Sunscreen and Benzene Talc Litigation Zantac Whistleblower / Qui T am Contractor Fraud Education and Grant Fraud Financial Services Fraud Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act Violations General Services Administration (GSA) Fraud Health Care Fraud IRS Tax Fraud Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Nursing Home and Hospice Fraud Pharmaceutical Fraud Procurement Fraud SEC Dodd-Frank Violations Stark Violations Workers Compensation Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation State Workers' Compensation Asbestos Exposure Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer? Click here to learn more about your rights and option. We have been at the forefront of asbestos litigation for the past 50 years!

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. 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

Robert Hatten recently spoke at CNU’s commencement for 2020 and 2021 graduating classes. As a result of COVID-19, 2020’s commencement ceremony occured May 2021 and 2021’s was the following weekend. Hatten’s commencement speech emphasized graduates should be commended for enduring the challenges that the pandemic brought in 2020 and 2021 for academic success yet graduates still persevered against serious adversity and came out better prepared for their next challenge post-graduation. Robert R. Hatten Speaker at CNU Commencement 2020/2021 PWHD’s Robert “Bobby” Hatten, Lead Trial Lawyer for the Asbestos Litigation Team, and Rector of Christopher Newport University, recently spoke at CNU’s commencement for both the 2020 and 2021 graduating classes. As a result of COVID-19, the class of 2020’s commencement ceremony did not occur until May of 2021, and the class of 2021’s commencement occurred the following weekend. Hatten’s commencement speech emphasized that graduates of both classes should be commended for enduring the challenges that the pandemic brought in 2020 and 2021 for academic success yet graduates still persevered against serious adversity and came out better prepared for their next challenge post-graduation. PWHD is a proud supporter of CNU. Read more about PWHD’s leadership and service to CNU, as well as other community contributions . Get to know more about Bobby Hatten .

For more information on attorneys in Newport News, call (757) 223-4500 today to make an appointment with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein. Partners: Our Team Partners Partner Robert R. Hatten Practice Areas: Products Liability Litigation Partner Eleanor Weston Brown Practice Areas: Estate and Tax Planning Estate Administration Probate Trust Administration Business Succession Planning Partner Kenneth R. Yoffy Practice Areas: Whistleblower / Qui Tam Litigation Partner C. Thomas Turbeville, Jr. Practice Areas: Whistleblower / Qui Tam Litigation Partner James H. Shoemaker, Jr. Practice Areas: Whistleblower / Qui Tam Litigation Employment Litigation Partner Hugh B. McCormick, III Practice Areas: Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation Products Liability Litigation Partner Scott L. Reichle Practice Areas: Whistleblower / Qui Tam Litigation Trial Co-Counsel Partner Nathan D. Finch Practice Areas: Asbestos Exposure Toxic Exposure Associates Associates: Our Team Associate Geoffrey R. Grau Practice Areas: Products Liability Litigation Associate Adam M. Hawks Practice Areas: Products Liability Litigation Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation Employment Litigation

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which develops in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs. There are four main types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma which occurs in the lining around the lungs; peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining around the stomach and abdomen; pericardial mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining around the heart; and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, which occurs in the lining around the testes. ASBESTOS LITIGATION What Is Mesothelioma? Read More Asbestos Exposure What is Asbestos? What did Companies Know? Occupations at Risk Ship Builders, and Navy Veterans Asbestos Disease Claims Contact Us What is Mesothelioma ? Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which develops in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs. There are four main types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma which occurs in the lining around the lungs; peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining around the stomach and abdomen; pericardial mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining around the heart; and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, which occurs in the lining around the testes. All four types are caused by asbestos exposure. By far the most prevalent type is pleural mesothelioma, shown below: The Symptoms of Mesothelioma The initial symptoms associated with mesothelioma are usually pain in the back, chest or abdomen as well as fatigue and loss of weight. This is usually followed by an unexplained and sudden shortness of breath caused by a buildup of fluid (called an "effusion") between the mesothelial lining and the organ it covers. Malignant mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose. A definitive diagnosis typically often may only be made after a biopsy is performed to obtain a tissue sample. Because malignant mesothelioma is a rare disease, many hospitals and physicians do not have a great deal of experience with this disease and may have difficulty making the diagnosis. If you have any of the foregoing symptoms and have a history of asbestos exposure, contact your physician as soon as possible. We have forty years of experience prosecuting mesothelioma cases. If you 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 . Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Geoffr ey R. Grau Adam M. Hawks Asbestos Litigation Attorneys

Learn more about Patten Wornom Hatten and Diamonstein PWHD in Virginia Community Involvement COMMUNITY Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein is proud to be an active member in the community. We are privileged to support and participate in many programs. CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY PWHD is a proud supporter of Christopher Newport University, a public liberal arts university located in Newport News, Virginia. Robert R. Hatten, Lead Asbestos Litigation Partner and PWHD’s Managing Partner from 1991-2019, was appointed to the Board of Visitors of CNU by former Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2015. Hatten was also reappointed to a second four-year term in July 2019 by Governor Ralph Northam. He was also elected Rector of the University in September 2018, and re-elected Rector in 2019 and continues to serve in that capacity. Before that, Hatten was Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Visitors from 2016-2018. PWHD Partner James H. Shoemaker, Jr. has served on the Board of the CNU Sailing Foundation, which is a non-profit to help promote development of sailing at the collegiate level and to develop the CNU Varsity Sailing Team. Former PWHD Partner, the late Alan A. Diamonstein (Virginia House of Delegates 1968-2002), was also an avid supporter of CNU, who earned the nickname “Mr. CNU” as a result of his advocacy and support of the university. To recognize Diamonstein’s steadfast support, CNU named the Alan and Beverly Diamonstein Concert Hall at Ferguson Center for the Arts in their honor as a result of their incredible vision to provide a performing arts venue for students and citizens alike. BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS OF HAMPTON ROADS PWHD has long been a proud supporter of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Robert R. Hatten first became active with the Big Brothers program of the United Way in 1976, and he was an active Big Brother to three boys for five years while also serving on the Board directors of that organization. For many years, Hatten and others at PWHD also sponsored families in need at the holidays and provided holiday meals and gifts to local children and their families. UNITED WAY FOR THE VIRGINIA PENINSULA PWHD has taken an active role in the United Way for the Virginia Peninsula since the late 1970s. Robert R. Hatten first became involved through the Big Brothers program of the United Way in 1976. Since that time, he and PWHD have been actively involved in fundraising for the United Way. In 2007, Hatten served Chairman of the United Way campaign, raising a record $7.2 million dollars to serve non-profit charitable organizations throughout our community, including Hampton, Newport News, York County and Gloucester. Following his service as Chairman of the United Way Campaign, Hatten continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the United Way, including four years as Chairman of the Board. Hatten also continues as Chair of the Peninsula lawyers’ fund-raising section of the annual United Way campaigns. In 2019, in conjunction with its internal United Way campaign, PWHD also held an internal toy drive and collected a variety of toys to donate to Edmarc’s Hospice for Children. Edmarc provides family-centered care for children with catastrophic illness, and it is also one of the many great organizations partnered with United Way. SOUNDSCAPES PWHD Partner Robert R. Hatten is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Soundscapes and has served as its Chairman of the Board since its inception in 2010. The late Alan A. Diamonstein, former PWHD Partner, was also passionate about Soundscapes’ mission and also served as a founding member of the Board of Directors of Soundscapes since its inception until Diamonstein passed away in 2019. Soundscapes is a music education and intervention program designed to change the lives of underserved children by training them to play classical music in an orchestra with violins, horns, percussion and other instruments. Soundscapes instills transformative life skills in children in our community by using intensive music study and frequent ensemble performances. The program has been proven to improve academic performance, social behavior, self-confidence and executive functions essential for becoming a productive citizen. Soundscapes now serves 400 elementary and middle school in summer and academic school year programs in five underperforming public schools and students meet between 128 and 320 hours per year, as well as appear in 25 or more public concerts. In addition, both Hatten and Diamonstein were recognized for their commitment and support to Soundscapes for the last decade at its gala on September 28, 2019, where five-time Grammy winner and Denbigh native, Victor Wooten, performed with the Soundscapes students. At the performance, Wooten stated “We often worry about the world we are leaving for our children. What about the children we are leaving for the world?” PWHD is dedicated and committed to supporting organizations in our community, such as Soundscapes, to positively impact the lives of children in our community, and in addition to the contributions of Hatten and Diamonstein to this organization, the firm as well as many other PWHD partners, attorneys and staff individually support the organization’s mission, including Donald N. Patten, Hugh B. McCormick, III and others. FOODBANK OF THE VA PENINSULA For almost seventy years, PWHD has sought to help those in need and give security to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances. For this reason, PWHD has long supported the Peninsula Foodbank and the Legal Food Frenzy in its mission to end hunger and food insecurity in our community. Since 2007, PWHD has participated in the Legal Food Frenzy, which is a friendly competition amongst the legal community in Virginia to see who can collect the most food and funds to help our local Foodbanks. PWHD’s contributions have provided thousands of meals to those in need on the Peninsula. In 2019, PWHD was recognized as a Regional Winner (large law firm category) in the regional competition for the firm’s contributions to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. PWHD was presented the gavel award by Attorney General Mark Herring in recognition of the firm’s hard work and dedication to the Legal Food Frenzy. In addition, PWHD attorneys and staff have volunteered at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, packing bags of food which equated to 8,472 pounds of food and 7,060 meals provided to the elderly and those in need in our community. The firm also participates in events to support the Foodbank, such as the “Wear Orange” day to bring awareness to the Foodbank’s Hunger Action Month. GLOUCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Robert R. Hatten was appointed to the Gloucester Community Foundation (“GCF”) in approximately 2003 and served on that Board until 2011, acting as Chairman of the Board for two of those years. The GCF’s mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life for residents of Gloucester and provides a mechanism for charitable donations to work in the local community. GCF annually provides grants of money to nonprofit charitable service organizations throughout Gloucester, Virginia, for such services as food, housing, elder care, child care, job training, public services and health to those in need, including organizations such as the Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic, Gloucester Arts on Main, Gloucester Housing Partnership, Literacy Volunteers of Gloucester, The Samaritan Group, and other non-profit charitable organizations. VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM The Virginia Living Museum, located in Newport News, Virginia, is a combination aquarium, zoo, botanical garden and science center, exhibiting animals and plants native to Virginia. The Virginia Living Museum has tons of wonderful, hands-on learning activities for kids and those who are kids at heart. PWHD and many of its individual partners are proud supporters of the Virginia Living Museum, including PWHD Partner Donald N. Patten, who previously served on the Virginia Living Museum’s Board of Trustees, and who continues to serve on in an advisory capacity on its Board of Advisors. PWHD has long supported the Virginia Living Museum’s Oyster Roast. The VLM Oyster Roast is an official “Green Festival,” which means that the shells of the fresh Virginia oysters enjoyed by guests of the festival are collected during the event and shipped to the VCU Rice Rivers Center in Richmond, where they are later used to seed baby oysters. This results in potentially 300,000 oysters being returned to the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to the environmental impact of this event, the Oyster Roast benefits the museum and its efforts to educate the community about wildlife and aquatic culture. PWHD Partner Hugh B. McCormick, III, has long supported this eco conscious event, and volunteers as an oyster shucker at the annual event. VIRGINIA CENTER FOR INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES Many PWHD Partners and attorneys have long-supported the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, which has a long history of helping schools, businesses, and communities across Virginia to achieve success through inclusion. Several PWHD Partners have been recognized with a Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, which is presented to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Alan A. Diamonstein (deceased) received the award in 1977, Donald N. Patten received the award in 1980, and Robert R. Hatten received the award in 1998. PWHD is committed to its continuing support of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and its work on the Peninsula and surrounding community. Disclaimer: PWHD may provide links to third party websites. These links are provided only as a convenience. Linked websites are not reviewed, controlled or examined by PWHD. PWHD is not responsible for the information, advertising, products, resources or other materials, of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by PWHD. In addition, please be aware that your use of any linked site is subject to the terms and conditions applicable to that site. Please direct any questions regarding linked sites to the webmaster of that site.

PWHD is excited to announce that 5 of our attorneys have been named to the 2022 Super Lawyers List. 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.  Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. 2023 Best Lawyers Honorees According to Best Lawyers, "Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America." Donald N. Patten Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs Robert R. Hatten 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" for Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs in Norfolk Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs Hugh B. McCormick, III Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs James H. Shoemaker, Jr. Employment Law - Individuals Litigation - Labor and Employment

“Benzene is known to cause cancer, based on evidence from studies in both people and lab animals. The link between benzene and cancer has largely focused on leukemia and other cancers of blood cells.” In addition to Leukemia, Benzene may cause Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Aplastic Anemia (AA), Myelodysplastic syndrome, Myelodysplasia (MDS), Multiple Myeloma, and other blood diseases. PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION Benzene Exposure Read More Products Liability Home Asbestos Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit CPAP Machines Hernia Mesh Medical Devices Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Roundup Sunscreen and Benzene Talc Zantac Contact Us Workers in a number of industrial and maritime settings may be at risk of cancer or a number of blood disorders from exposure to Benzene. According to the American Cancer Society “Benzene is known to cause cancer, based on evidence from studies in both people and lab animals. The link between benzene and cancer has largely focused on leukemia and other cancers of blood cells. ” In addition to Leukemia, Benzene may cause Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Aplastic Anemia (AA), Myelodysplastic syndrome, Myelodysplasia (MDS), Multiple Myeloma, and other blood diseases. WHAT IS BENZENE USED FOR? Benzene is a very widely used chemical. As the American Cancer Society notes: “Benzene is among the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States. It is used mainly as a starting material in making other chemicals, including plastics, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. In the past it was also commonly used as an industrial solvent (a substance that can dissolve or extract other substances) and as a gasoline additive, but these uses have been greatly reduced in recent decades. ” The number and types of products that may contain benzene are widespread and somewhat surprising. They include: Paint thinners and removers; Adhesives; Printing solvents and other solvents; Carburetor cleaners Brake cleaners Liquid Wrench® Safety-Kleen® washing machines for parts; Paints; Crude oil; Refined petroleum products; Gasoline; Naphtha; Jet fuel; Aviation gas; Lubricants; and other aromatic hydrocarbons. WHO IS AT RISK FOR BENEZENE EXPOSURE? As a result of its widespread use, workers in a variety of trades may be chronically exposed to benzene. These trades include: gasoline distribution workers; industrial plant workers who use solvents, installers using glues & solvents; offshore oil rig workers; painters; paper and pulp workers; pesticide manufacturing; plumbers and pipefitters; refinery workers; tankermen and barge workers; dock workers; and truck drivers. SEAMEN, DOCK WORKERS AND BARGE WORKERS MAY BE ESPECIALLY AT RISK. Barge workers, tug boat crewmembers, maintenance workers, painters, chippers, welders, tankermen, dock workers, and seamen on chemical, gas or oil tankers are often exposed to benzene fumes as part of their daily work. Benzene typically causes latent diseases many years after exposure? The medical community has long known that benzene damages bone marrow. This damage occurs over a long period of time and involves cellular mutations. As a result, it may take up to 40 years for a benzene related disease to be diagnosable. Because it can take so long for Benzene to develop, it is known as a “latent” disease. In essence, once a person has been exposed, it is essentially a ticking time bomb—the exposed person has no idea whether or when a disease will develop. CAN I OBTAIN COMPENSATION FOR A BENZENE RELATED DISEASE? If your leukemia or other blood cancer was caused by exposure to benzene or other chemicals containing benzene, you may be entitled to compensation. If you can identify the product that is the source of your exposure, you may be able to sue that product’s manufacturer or supplier for failing to warn of the hazards of benzene or for incorporating benzene in its product if other alternatives were available. If you are a land-based worker, you may also have a workers compensation claim against your employer. If you are a barge worker or a seaman, you may also be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act and general maritime law. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a benzene-related disease such as Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Aplastic Anemia (AA), Myelodysplastic syndrome, Myelodysplasia (MDS), Multiple Myeloma, or other blood diseases, and you believe that it was caused by benzene exposure, please contact PWHD today at NO COST by calling 757-223-4500 or filling out our online contact form . Asbestos Litigation Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Contact PWHD Hugh B. McCormick, III. Geoffr ey R. Grau Adam M. Hawks

What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which develops in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs and is caused by asbestos exposure. Many veterans as well as individuals who worked in shipyards, power plants, refineries, railroads, factories, and other industrial settings were exposed to asbestos... Have You or a Loved One Been Diagnosed With Mesothelioma? Let Our Team Fight for You - Local Lawyers with a National Reputation Contact PWHD Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which develops in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs and is caused by asbestos exposure. Many veterans as well as individuals who worked in shipyards, power plants, refineries, railroads, factories, and other industrial settings were exposed to asbestos during the course of their employment and are at risk for contracting mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and asbestosis. Housewives and children who lived with family members who worked in these industries are also at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. L et our team fight for you! We have been at the forefront of asbestos litigation for the past 50 years. Our accomplishments include : The first successful consolidation of more than 1,000 lawsuits, the first national settlement program with the asbestos industry. The first Virginia punitive damage jury verdict against the asbestos industry (1991) and the largest punitive damage verdict in an asbestos case (2011). For 6 consecutive years, PWHD's verdicts against the asbestos industry were listed in the Top 10 Verdicts for the state of Virginia. These included the following multi-million-dollar verdicts for mesothelioma victims: $7,500,000 (201 6); $25,000,000 (2011); $5,977,482 (2010); $3,800,000(2009); $4,390,000 (2008); $9,300,000 (2007); $10,000,000 (2006). If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you can discuss your potential claim with us at NO COST by calling us locally at 757-223-4545 for a free consultation or fill out our contact form . We will come to you. Disclaime r: Past successes of PWHD litigation does not guarantee success in any new or future case. The information contained within this website does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. The outcome of each legal case depends upon many factors, and no attorney can guarantee a positive result in any particular case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Mesothelioma Attorneys Robert R. Hatten Hugh B. McCormick, III. Geoffr ey R. Grau Adam M. Hawks Read More Asbestos Litigation What is Asbestos? What is Mesothelioma? What did Companies Know? Occupations at Risk Asbestos Disease Claims Contact PWHD

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... 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.

Adam Hawks is an associate attorney with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. He began working with the firm in 2023 and focuses on representing plaintiffs and their families. Before joining the firm, Adam worked at Washington and Lee’s prestigious Advanced Administrative Litigation Clinic (Black Lung). At the Black Lung Clinic, Adam assisted former coal miners suffering from coal dust-induced lung diseases like pneumoconiosis and silicosis in applying for federal benefits. ADAM M. HAWKS ATTORNEY Adam Hawks is an associate attorney with Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, L.C. He began working with the firm in 2023 and focuses on representing plaintiffs and their families. Before joining the firm, Adam worked at Washington and Lee’s prestigious Advanced Administrative Litigation Clinic (Black Lung). At the Black Lung Clinic, Adam assisted former coal miners suffering from coal dust-induced lung diseases like pneumoconiosis and silicosis in applying for federal benefits. He helped the former coal miners navigate their cases through the Administrative Law Courts. Adam also served a summer internship with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. He also served as a Lead Articles Editor with the Journal of Social and Racial Justice. Education: Washington & Lee University, School of Law – Juris Doctor Montana Technological University, Bachelor of Science, with Honors, Liberal Arts and Professional and Technical Communications Admissions: Supreme Court of Virginia United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia Honors: Lead Articles Editor, Washington & Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice Associations: Virginia State Bar American Association for Justice Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Email: ahawks@pwhd.com Phone: (757) 223-4457 Practice Areas: Products Liability L itigation Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation Employment Litigation vCard Contact