Fla. Jury Reaches Defense Verdict for Rockwell Automation in Electrician Asbestos Case

MIAMI –– A Florida jury has reached a defense verdict in favor of lone remaining defendant Rockwell Automation Inc., rejecting claims that the plaintiff was exposed to asbestos in the defendant’s electrical control products.

The Florida 11th Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County jury reached the verdict on Feb. 22 after 90 minutes of deliberations and a 14-day trial presided over by Judge Victoria S. Sigler. Sources told HarrisMartin that this was the judge’s first asbestos trial.

The jury heard negligence and strict products liability claims brought by Alan J. and Patricia J. Hantak. The plaintiffs claimed that Alan Hantak’s …