Calif. Jury Finds for John Crane in U.S. Navy Case

LOS ANGELES -- A California jury has rejected the claims of a former fireman and machinist's mate who served in the U.S. Navy, concluding that the packing and gasket products he worked with were not defective or contribute to the development of his injury. Oberstar, et al. v. John Crane Inc., et al., No. BC381645 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The Los Angeles County Superior Court reached the verdict on April 13, accepting John Crane's argument that its gaskets and packing products did not emit a dosage of asbestos sufficient enough to cause the plaintiff's mesothelioma.

The trial …