Calif. Jury Awards More than $26 Million in Asbestos Case; Allocates 5 Percent Liability to Highland Stucco

LOS ANGELES –– A California jury has awarded more than $26 million to a former construction worker who claims that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos-containing stucco manufactured by the lone remaining defendant, Highland Stucco and Lime Products Inc.

The California Superior Court for Los Angeles County jury reached the verdict on March 19. Judge Michael Johnson presided over the trial, which lasted seven days and concluded after one-and-a-half days of jury deliberations.

The lawsuit, filed by Michael and Suzi Sutherland, contended that Michael Sutherland was exposed to asbestos-containing stucco while working on various residential and commercial construction …