Bystander Exposure Case Ends in $5.4 Million Verdict

LOS ANGELES -- After five days of deliberations, a California jury has awarded $5.4 million to plaintiffs who claimed that a laborer's bystander exposure to asbestos on film production sets caused his mesothelioma. Saffold v. Bondex, et al., No. BC341492 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The verdict was returned by the Los Angeles County Superior Court jury on June 20 after a 17-day trial before Judge Ricardo A. Torres presided.

The jury awarded $400,000 in economic damages and $5 million for loss of care, comfort and society.

Bondex and Kaiser Gypsum were assessed 26 percent liability each, …