Jury Awards California Asbestos Meosthelioma Case $200 Million in Damages

May 3, 2010

Los Angeles, CA: A jury in California awarded $200 million in punitive damages and $8.8 million in compensatory damages in an asbestos product liability lawsuit being heard last week. However, there is a possibility the amounts will be reduced.

The plaintiffs case alleged that Rhoda Evans developed mesothelioma as a result of 'take home' or secondary asbestos exposure. She had inhaled asbestos fibers on her husband's work clothes over the years she did his washing. Her husband, Bobby Evans, asserted a loss of consortium claim. He had worked for Los Angeles' water and power department for 24 years. During his employment he had had to cut CertainTeed asbestos cement water pipe.

Rhoda Evans situation is particularly compelling, as she is raising her grandchildren, and has been since her daughter died four years ago.

According to a report on Law.com, Following the jury handing down its verdict, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Conrad Aragon asked attorneys from both sides to write briefs on what an appropriate punitive damages award would be. "The judge "refused to enter the judgment" until he evaluates the legal basis for the award, said an attorney for defendant CertainTeed Corp., a building materials manufacturer the jury hit with 70 percent of the liability. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was assigned 30 percent of the liability."

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