Ohio Jury Awards $27.5 Million to English Professor in Take-Home Asbestos Exposure Case

CLEVELAND –– An Ohio jury has awarded an English professor and his wife more than $27.5 million in a take-home exposure case, assessing 60 percent liability to the successor of National Friction Products Corp., sources told HarrisMartin.

The Ohio Court of Commons Pleas for Cuyahoga County jury reached the verdict on Dec. 18 after four-and-a-half hours of deliberations. Judge Harry A. Hanna presided over the 11-day trial.

The plaintiffs contended that John Panza Jr.’s take-home exposure occurred when his father –– an employee of the brake company Eaton Airflex –– took home asbestos fibers on his work clothing.

John Panza …