In a December, 2017 trial, James E. Wagner defended a workers compensation case involving an employee of Alcoa, Inc. who died from pancreatic cancer. The employee’s widow claimed that the employee’s cancer was caused by workplace exposure to coal tar pitch. The trial court dismissed the case for lack of medical evidence that coal tar pitch could cause this type of cancer. On October 30, 2018, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed a decision of its Workers Compensation Panel that upheld the trial court’s decision. See the full opinion here. The Supreme Court agreed with the trial judge that cross-examination of the employee’s expert witness showed that medical literature did not support his opinion of a connection between coal tar pitch and pancreatic cancer. James practices in multiple area of the law, including workers compensation, personal injury and probate/estate planning.
James E. Wagner concentrates his practice in areas such as personal injury litigation, workers’ compensation, toxic tort litigation, products liability, firearms law, probate, estate planning and insurance. His varied legal experience helps him analyze and resolve issues in all areas of practice for his clients. He has been privileged to represent many of the same clients over my entire career and handles each case with a view toward a long-term relationship. James provides his clients with reliable, dependable service.
