S.C. Jury Awards $14 Million In Asbestos Case Against Premises Defendant; Reaches Defense Verdict for John Crane

SPARTANBURG, S.C. –– Jurors in South Carolina have awarded $14 million in a case involving asbestos-containing gaskets, determining that while a premises defendant was liable, John Crane Inc. was not.

The South Carolina 7th Judicial Circuit Court for Spartanburg County jury reached the verdict on Oct. 8 after two weeks of trial.

Plaintiff Dennis Seay contended that his developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products he encountered during his work at Hoechst-Celanese.

Seay specifically alleged that he encountered John Crane’s products while using a power wire brushing technique to remove gaskets from flange faces. The plaintiff …