$25 Million Asbestos Verdict Reversed After Va. High Court Says Evidence Wrongfully Excluded

RICHMOND, Va. –– The Virginia Supreme Court has reversed a $25 million asbestos verdict, ruling that the trial court erred when it barred the jury from hearing evidence relating to the plaintiff’s employer’s knowledge of asbestos dangers.

In the Jan. 10 decision, the high court opined that “until it is shown that the employer, who is presumed to have a higher level of expertise than the vessel owner, lacked the knowledge, intent, or ability to protect the employee, no duty to intervene can be attributed to the vessel owner….”

Rubert E. Minton filed the lawsuit, contending he was exposed …