Calif. Jury Reaches Defense Verdict in Favor of John Crane in Asbestos Case

LOS ANGELES – A California jury has reached a defense verdict in favor of John Crane Inc., rejecting claims that a former pipefitter developed mesothelioma after he was exposed to asbestos in the company’s gasket and packing products.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California jury reached the unanimous defense verdict on Nov. 17. Judge Dale S. Fischer presided over the trial.

Charles Tyrone Hill asserted the claims, contending that his employment as a pipefitter at the National Steel and Shipbuliding Shipyard, Campbell Machine and Triple A shipyards in San Diego at various times from 1960 to …