BOSTON, May 8 (Reuters) – Rhode Island’s top court plans a live Internet broadcast of next week’s oral arguments in the appeal of a landmark lead-paint decision.

Three former manufacturers of lead paint have asked the Rhode Island Supreme Court to overturn a Feb. 22, 2006, jury verdict that could force them to pay billions of dollars to clean up contaminated paint around the state.

Chief Justice Frank Williams authorized the Webcast, scheduled for May 15, “because of the wide national interest in the case,” an advisory said. The Webcast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. can be accessed on www.courts.ri.gov

Rhode Island accused paint manufacturers of covering up the risk of lead paint in its lawsuit filed in 1999, the first in the nation to hold paint makers responsible. The widely watched suit could trigger a wave of litigation against the industry. Read More