$17.5 Million Awarded in Calif. Brake Lining Case Involving Asbestos Exposure

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California jury has awarded nearly $17.5 million to an asbestos plaintiff who says he developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos in brake linings. Bankhead v. Allied Packing & Supply Inc., No. RG10502243 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

The California Superior Court for Alameda County jury reached the verdict on Jan. 6 after a trial that began in October. Judge Robert B. Freedman of Dept. 20 presided over the trial.

At the start of trial, ArvinMeritor Inc. (f/k/a Rockwell International Corp.), Carlisle Corp., Kelsey-Hayes Co. (f/k/a Fruehauf Corp.), and PneumoAbex LLC were remaining as …