Calif. Appellate Court Affirms Multi-Million Judgment Entered Against Kaiser Gypsum in Asbestos Case

SAN FRANCISCO –– A California appellate court has affirmed a judgment entered against Kaiser Gypsum in an asbestos case filed on behalf of a former plumber, ruling in part that the trial court did not err when ordering that a separate jury hear arguments relating to punitive damages only.

In the 56-page opinion issued Jan. 21, the California Court of Appeal, First District, Division 4, additionally rejected an appeal brought by the plaintiffs, who challenged the trial court’s reduction of a $20 million punitive damage award to just under $4 million.

The underlying claims were brought by John and Patricia …