Calif. Court Affirms $6.8 Million Asbestos Verdict Against Ford Motor, Says Plaintiff Should Have Been Permitted to Bring Punitive Damages Claim

SAN FRANCISCO –– A California appellate court has affirmed a $6.8 million asbestos verdict, rejecting Ford Motor Company’s (NYSE:F) contention that the plaintiff –– a vehicle service station owner and operator –– was a sophisticated user of asbestos-containing brakes and clutches.

In the same March 26 opinion, the California 1st District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s decision to ban the plaintiffs from presenting their punitive damages claim, saying that Michigan has a “minimal” interest in seeing its ban on such damages carried out in California.

Patrick Scott asserted the claims, contending that he developed mesothelioma as a …