Court Reduces Non-Economic Damages in Case Against John Crane, Orders Retrial on Punitives

LOS ANGELES - An appellate court in California has substantially reduced a $14 million future non-economic damages verdict against John Crane and ordered a new trial on a more than $18 million punitive damage award entered at the conclusion of the case. Kelemen v. John Crane Inc., No. B221778 (Calif. Ct. App., 2nd Dist.).

The Second District Court of Appeal ruled Sept. 7 that the $14 million in future non-economic damages awarded to David Kelemen was excessive and may have resulted from juror confusion, considering Kelemen was awarded $2 million for past non-economic damages and was expected to live just …