PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Arguments are underway before the Rhode Island Supreme Court over a landmark jury verdict that could cost former lead paint companies billions of dollars in cleanup costs.
Three companies including Sherwin-Williams are asking to overturn the 2006 verdict, which found them liable for creating a public nuisance by making and selling a toxic product.
The state says roughly 37,000 children have been poisoned by lead since 1993.
The companies say the state failed to show that their products were responsible for the problem or were even in Rhode Island.
Chief Justice Frank Williams said the court had thousands of pages of transcripts from the trial, and asked the lawyers to keep their arguments brief Thursday.
The court hopes to make a ruling by July.
