Calif. Jury Awards More than $30 Million to Former Construction Supervisor, Allocates 45 Percent Liability to J-M Manufacturing

LOS ANGELES –– A California jury has awarded more than $30 million to a former construction supervisor, finding defendant J-M Manufacturing 45 percent liable for the plaintiff’s mesothelioma, sources told HarrisMartin.

The California Superior Court for Los Angeles County jury reached its verdict on compensatory damages on Nov. 13 and found that the defendant acted with malice, triggering a punitive damages phase; two days later, jurors issued its award of punitive damages.

Judge Maurice A. Leiter presided over the trial.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Norris Morgan, who was allegedly exposed to asbestos-containing transite pipe sold by …