By Jen Dlugosz on May 2, 2016

In April 2016, there were at least three significant asbestos verdicts nationwide. Below is a brief summary of each verdict:

Tyler v. American Optical Corp., Case No. BC588866, Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County: Plaintiff alleged that defective respiratory equipment that Defendant American Optical Corporation sold that he used while working at a foundry caused him to develop mesothelioma. A jury awarded Plaintiff and his wife over $30 million, with $22.8 million in economic damages and $10 million in punitive damages.  The jury found American Optical liable for 70 percent of the economic damages, roughly $16 million.

Coulbourn v. Air & Liquid Systems Corp., Case No. 3:13-cv-08141, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona: Plaintiff alleged the decedent died from mesothelioma due to exposure to defectively designed products that contained asbestos and did not have warnings. Plaintiff worked for approximately 35 years as a civilian U.S. Navy employee, including work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.  A jury awarded $17 million, with $9 million in compensatory damages and $8 million in punitive damages.  Jurors assessed 20 percent responsibility to Crane Co., 5-percent responsibility to William Powell Co., and the remaining 75 percent between various other companies and the U.S. Navy.

Roverano v. Honeywell International, Case No. 140301123, Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia: Plaintiff alleged that he developed lung cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos containing products. Plaintiff William Roverano had worked at PECO Energy as a carpenter for roughly 30 years.  A jury awarded approximately $6.4 million, which included $1.25 million for loss of consortium to plaintiff’s wife.  John Crane and Brand Insulation were the only defendants left at the time of verdict, but the jury found that products from six other defendants contributed to Plaintiff’s cancer as well.