Fowler Associates Labs

Cellular Telephone Maker Sued for $800 Million

by Melissa Lovin

A Maryland neurologist filed an $800 million lawsuit against a telecommunications company and a cellular telephone maker, claiming that years of using wireless devices caused his brain cancer.

The suit was brought against Verizon Communications, which was formed after Bell Atlantic and GTE merged, and Motorola, Inc. by Chris Newman, 41 in Blatimore City Circuit Court on Tuesday. It seeks $100 million in compensatory damages and $700 million in punitive damages.

While the FDA cites no evidence linking cancer with cellular devices, it also has no contradictory information to say that they are totally risk free.

A malignant tumor was discovered behind Newman's right ear in March of 1998. Newman's attorney, Joanne Suder, claims that her client used the cellular phone, which was manufactured by Motorola, at least several times daily between 1992 and 1998 in order to maintain the minute-to minute relationship that was necessary between a neurologist and his patients.