California Jury Reaches Verdict in Favor of Kaiser Gypsum

LOS ANGELES -- A California jury has rejected the mesothelioma claims of a plaintiff who said he was exposed to the Kaiser Gypsum Company Inc.'s joint compound product while working on remodeling projects in Alaska, sources told HarrisMartin. Johansen v. Kaiser Gypsum Company Inc., No. BC417278 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The Los Angeles Superior County jury reached the verdict on Feb. 11 after a three-week trial presided over by Judge Ronald M. Sohigian.

Michael P. Johansen filed the claims, contending that his development of pleural mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos in Kaiser Gypsum's joint compound. The …