Frederic "Rick" Norris

Rick has been involved in the following significant litigation:

• Trial counsel for agricultural company in Oregon case where plaintiff claimed his non-hodgkin lymphoma was caused by use of herbicide. The case resulted in a unanimous defense verdict. More information on the case can be found here.
• Trial counsel for contractor defendant in one of the first Zoom jury trials conducted anywhere in the nation and which involved the jurors and all counsel appearing remotely. Robert Fenstermacher v. 3M Company, et al. Alameda County Superior Court.
• Lead trial counsel for talc supplier to Johnson & Johnson in living mesothelioma matter. After multiple weeks of trial, secured complete dismissal of supplier defendant during plaintiffs' case-in-chief. Von Salzen v. Imerys Talc America, Los Angeles Superior Court.
• Lead trial counsel for contractor defendant in living mesothelioma matter where plaintiff claimed defendant installed and removed asbestos-containing refractory material in his presence while serving in the U.S. Navy. After two-week trial, verdict entered resulting in only a 1 percent finding of fault for defendant. Joseph and Kathryn Houpt v. A.K. Steel Corporation, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court.
• Trial counsel for contractor defendant in wrongful death mesothelioma matter where plaintiffs claimed defendant disturbed asbestos containing insulation in decedent's presence causing his mesothelioma. Judgment entered in defendant's favor after a six-week trial. Rose Marie Ganoe, et al. v. Air & Liquid Systems Corp., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court.
• Trial counsel for premises owner in Petitpas v. Ford Motor Company, which was selected by the Daily Journal as one of the "Top Defense Verdicts of 2012."
• Trial counsel for major petrochemical company in living mesothelioma matter where plaintiff claimed asbestos exposure at defendant's premises. Nonsuit motion granted in favor of defendant at the close of plaintiff's case. William Marvin Webster v. 3M Company, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court (affirmed on appeal).
• Trial counsel for convenience store in case involving allegation that convenience store was negligent in operation of premises by allowing homeless individual to injure plaintiff at the premises.
• Trial counsel for agricultural company in Missouri case where plaintiff claimed his non-hodgkin lymphoma was caused by use of herbicide. The case resulted in a directed verdict in favor of the client at the close of plaintiff's case.
• Lead trial counsel for automotive retailer in living mesothelioma matter. Trial resulted in a directed verdict in favor of client. Chapman v. Avon Products, Inc., Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Appeals

• Petitpas v. Ford Motor Company (2017) 13 Cal.App.5th 261. Published decision affirming verdict in favor of defendant premises owner.
• Murat v. SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., Second Appellate District Case No. B247889