Apportionment of Liability to Calaveras Asbestos Ltd. Proper, Court Rules

LOS ANGELES -- An asbestos defendant has failed to convince a California appellate court that a $3 million jury verdict should be reversed because the percentage of liability assessed against the defendant was unreasonable. Ransom v. Calaveras Asbestos Ltd., No. B207018 (Calif. 2nd Dist. Ct. App., Div. 5).

On March 4, the California Second District Court of Appeal ruled that there was sufficient evidence supporting the jury's apportionment of liability to the defendant, which was named in the case for its role in supplying asbestos to cement pipe manufacturers.

The plaintiff asserted the action on behalf of Glade Cookus, whose …