N.Y. Court Upholds Trial Court Decision to Assess Damages Against Port Authority without Jury

NEW YORK –– A trial court did not err when it assessed damages without a jury against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in an asbestos case, an intermediate appellate court has ruled.

In the Jan. 15 decision, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department noted that under the state’s Civil Practice Law and Rules, courts can make an assessment of damages without a jury, even if the defendant is ordinarily entitled to participate in an inquest on damages.

The underlying lawsuit –– asserted by Mary Andrucki on behalf of the estate of George P. …