-Caveat Lector- Dow Seeks To Ban Punitive Damages By DEE-ANN DURBIN .c The Associated Press BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) - A federal bankruptcy judge said Friday he will focus on whether Dow Corning Corp.'s corporate parents should remain immune to lawsuits as part of a $4.5 billion settlement over silicone breast implants. Dow Corning is owned equally by Dow Chemical Corp. and Corning Corp. Judge Arthur Spector said the heart of the settlement is the question of immunity for the two. ``This plan is illegal, it's unconstitutional, it's unauthorized and it's in bad faith under the (bankruptcy) code,'' attorney Geoffrey White, an attorney for several Nevada women, said during the last day of a hearing into the settlement. Spector also requested lawyers to submit more briefs on the question of punitive damages. ``If the debtor's product didn't cause these people's diseases ... then they shouldn't have to pay anything,'' he said. ``If they did cause diseases or syndromes, then until they have no more money they should pay.'' The Midland-based company filed for bankruptcy in 1995 after thousands of women started suing, claiming breast implants of Dow Corning silicone caused a variety of diseases. Spector didn't say when his ruling might come. If he doesn't confirm the plan, a new settlement would have to be drafted. Under the proposed settlement, women who blame illnesses on implants could get $12,000 to $300,000 each. They could also receive up to $25,000 for ruptured or leaking implants, and up to $5,000 for implant removal. It provides $3.2 billion to settle claims from women with implants and an additional $1.3 billion to settle other claims, including claims from creditors and health-care organizations. The company would set aside up to $400 million to cover any costs of defending lawsuits by women who reject the settlement. Nearly 113,000 women voted on the settlement terms earlier this year, and 94 percent approved. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
