Conoco Phillips Appeals Mississippi Jury Award

The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday from Conoco Phillips Corp., which has appealed a $15.2 million jury award to an oil well drilling worker who alleged he got lung disease from exposure to asbestos.

Oral arguments are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Jackson.

In 2010, a Jones County jury ruled for Troy Lofton in his personal injury lawsuit against CP Chem, a division of Conoco Phillips Corp. Lofton alleged he was diagnosed in 2004 was asbestosis.

Lofton claimed CP Chem knowingly shipped a product containing asbestos for 20 years that was used in the oil and gas well drilling industry.

Lofton claimed that as a result of that exposure he has had to remain on oxygen 24 hours a day.

Conoco has denied the claims.