August 26, 2025
FormanWatkins Secures Major Appellate Win in Long-Running Asbestos Case
Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP is proud to announce a significant appellate victory on behalf of its client in a long-running asbestos case, Parra v. Rapid-American Corporation, Riley Power, Inc. F/K/A Riley Stoker Corporation, DB Riley, Inc., et al., affirming the dismissal of claims that were pending for more than fifteen years.
“This is an important win not only for our client, but also for the fair and efficient administration of justice,” said Jennifer Studebaker, partner at FormanWatkins. “The Court recognized that defendants should not be forced to defend decades-old claims where a plaintiff has failed to act.”
In a unanimous decision, the Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld the Jones County Circuit Court’s ruling that the plaintiff’s case should be dismissed with prejudice for lack of prosecution. The Court emphasized that the plaintiff took no meaningful action in the litigation for more than nine years, finding that such extensive delay prejudiced the defendants and justified dismissal.
The decision brings finality to a case originally filed in 2009, which lingered on the docket with minimal activity since 2011. In affirming dismissal, the Court reiterated that plaintiff bears a duty to pursue his/her claims diligently and that extraordinary delays will not be excused.
The FormanWatkins defense team included Haley Arndt, Joel Fyke, Courtney Hunt, Simine Reed, and Jennifer Studebaker. Their strategic advocacy and perseverance were instrumental in securing this outcome.
This ruling reinforces FormanWatkins’ longstanding reputation as a national leader in asbestos and mass tort defense, where the firm continues to represent a wide range of clients across industries.
