Mississippi Court Finds Paint Maker Liable in Child's Lead Poisoning

June 29, 2009

A Jefferson County Circuit Court jury has ruled paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams Co. was liable for the illnesses of a Mississippi boy who ate lead-contaminated paint chips.

The jury awarded $7 million in damages in the lawsuit filed on behalf of Trellvion Gaines and his mother, Shermeker Pollard of Fayette.

An attorney for Sherwin-Williams said the company will appeal the verdict. Attorney John Corlew said Sherwin-Williams hasn't used lead in residential paint since 1972.

The suit was filed in 2000 in Jefferson County Circuit Court when Gaines was 9. A trial judge ruled in favor of the Cleveland, Ohio-based paint manufacturer in 2003. The Mississippi Supreme Court overturned the decision in 2007 and ordered a new trial.