Court Reverses Verdict, Cites U.S. Navy's Exclusion from Verdict Sheet

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California appellate court has reversed a verdict entered against Plant Insulation Co., ruling that the trial court erred when omitting the U.S. Navy from the verdict sheet. Collins, et al. v. Plant Insulation Co., et al., No. A124268 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st App. Dist., Div. 1).

In the June 3 opinion, the 1st District Court of Appeal further ruled that a retrial on solely the issue of apportionment of fault was appropriate.

"We thus conclude the trial court erred in excluding the Navy from the list of entities as to which the jury could apportion …