$18 Million Punitive Damages Award Stands in Calif. Bystander Exposure Asbestos Case

LOS ANGELES — A California state appeals court has upheld a $6 million compensatory damage award and an $18 million punitive damages award issued against Union Carbide Corp. in a bystander exposure asbestos case, ruling that substantial evidence supported the awards.

In an Oct. 22 opinion, the California Court of Appeal, 2nd District, further found the evidence of causation was sufficient and that substantial evidence supported the jury's apportionment of comparative fault.

Bobbie Izell owned a construction business that built approximately 200 homes in California from 1964 until 1994. Izell did not work as a laborer or supervisor on …