Wash. Court Affirms Verdict in Take-Home Asbestos Exposure Case; Reverses Remittitur Reducing $3.5 Million Award

SEATTLE – A Washington appellate court has affirmed a verdict entered in favor of the plaintiffs in a take-home asbestos exposure suit and reversed the trial court’s decision to reduce the damage award, saying that the plaintiff’s death one day prior to closing arguments was not sufficient grounds for granting the remittitur.

In the Jan. 23 opinion, the Washington Court of Appeals, Division One, reversed the trial court’s grant of remittitur and remanded the case to the trial court to reinstate the jury’s $3.5 million verdict.

Barbara Brandes filed the underlying claims, contending that she was exposed to asbestos brought …