John R. Shelton

Born:

Covington, Kentucky, May 13, 1964

Education:

• Juris Doctorate
  University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 1989
• Bachelor of Arts, History, Political Science
  University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 1986

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1989
• Kentucky, 1991
• United States Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
• United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky
• United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana
• United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee

Professional Memberships:

• Kentucky Bar Association
• America Association for Justice (“AAJ”) (formally Association of Trial Lawyers of America)
• AAJ Benzene Litigation Section
• Kentucky Trial Lawyers Association (now Kentucky Justice Association)
• Tennessee Bar Association

Awards and Acknowledgements:

• Walker Award for Excellence in Advocacy, 1991, 1992
• Lawyers Weekly USA “Verdict Spotlight,” April, 1995
• Kentucky Trial Court Review – “Closing Arguments That Win,” 1997 – 1999

Representative Cases:

• Schwarber v. General Motors Corp., et al., Campbell (Kentucky) Circuit Court – This mesothelioma cancer, wrongful death case settled in 2007 in mid-trial.  Plaintiff was an auto mechanic who was heavily exposed to asbestos brake wear dust throughout his career.  The total amount of settlements against multiple Defendants was approximately $3,000,000.
• Dexter v. Garlock, Inc., et al., Marshall (Kentucky) Circuit Court, co-lead trial counsel in asbestos induced lung cancer case tried against an asbestos-gasket and asbestos-cement pipe manufacturers.  The case was tried twice.  The first verdict resulted in a $5,000,000 compensatory award.  The re-trial resulted in $1.5 million compensatory damage award and a $700,000 punitive damage award.
• Wood v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Court of Appeals of Ky., 2005 Ky. App. LEXIS 106, May 6, 2005.  Represented a minor severely injured at an “extreme park” in Louisville, Kentucky.  Overcame the Kentucky Recreational Use Statute by establishing the City of Louisville wantonly failed to warn of hazards inherent in the park, resulting in the minor’s brain injury.  Case settled for $1.5 million in 2006.
• UPS v. Rickert, 996 SW2d 464 (Ky 1999) – co-lead trial counsel in a fraud case against United Parcel Service resulting in a $746,000 compensatory damage award and a $1,000,000 punitive damage award to an airline pilot whom the jury found UPS fraudulently misrepresented an offer of permanent employment.
• Williams v. U.S. Corrections, Jefferson (Kentucky) Circuit Court – Defendant was found to have intentionally violated the Federal Polygraph Act.  Following a two week trial, the jury found thirty-two (32) separate violations against seven different Plaintiffs resulting in the total award of over $800,000 to the Plaintiffs.

Let Us Help!

If you have questions about asbestos or benzene exposure and are concerned about possible occupational diseases and cancers, Shelton Law Group is here to help. Call us today for a FREE evaluation to find out if you have a case or fill out our case assessment form to consult with a member of our devoted staff.