Illinois Appellate Court Rejects Conspiracy Claims, Reverses $2.5 Million Verdict

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- An Illinois appellate court has reversed a $2.5 million verdict, ruling that the trial court should not have imposed a duty to warn on defendants that had no employer or supplier connections to the plaintiffs. Rodarmel, et al. v. Pneumo Abex, et al., No. 4-10-0463 (Ill. 4th Dist. Ct. App.).

In the July 15 opinion, the Illinois 4th District Court of Appeal rejected the lawsuit that brought conspiracy allegations against the defendants, opining that the plaintiffs could not prove that the defendants entered into an agreement with any other corporation to conceal the hazards of asbestos.