Pa. Court Upholds Decision to Offset Verdict with Bankruptcy Trust Awards

PHILADELPHIA -- A Pennsylvania appellate court has affirmed a trial court's decision to offset a jury verdict with money received from bankruptcy trusts that the plaintiffs had argued were not found or proven to be joint tortfeasors. Reed, et al. v. Honeywell International, et al., No. 3022 EDA 2010 and 3023 EDA 2010 (Pa. Super. Ct.).

In the Dec. 6 decision, the Pennsylvania Superior Court also rejected causation-based appeals made by the defendant against which the verdict was entered.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Frederick Lewis, who allegedly developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos while …