Goodyear Asks N.Y. Judge to Overturn $40.1 Million Asbestos Verdict, Citing Attorney Misconduct

NEW YORK — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has asked a New York judge to overturn a $40.1 million asbestos exposure verdict, arguing that inflammatory remarks made by the plaintiff’s counsel during closing arguments incurably prejudiced the defendant.

In an Aug. 7 motion for a new trial, Goodyear argues that plaintiff’s attorney Daniel Blouin improperly accused Goodyear’s expert witnesses of being paid to give false testimony and claimed that Goodyear’s counsel equated Tidwell’s mesothelioma diagnosis with winning the lottery.

The jury on Aug. 7 found plaintiff Walter Twidwell was exposed to airborne asbestos released from Durabla gasket material manufactured by …