Jury Awards $7 Million, Two Defense Verdicts in Asbestos Cases

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A consolidated asbestos trial involving five plaintiffs in West Virginia has ended with more than $7 million going to the families of three men afflicted with asbestos-related illnesses after they were allegedly exposed to fibers from two DuPont facilities. In Re Asbestos Personal Injury Mass Litigation Panel, No. 01-C-9002 (W.Va. Cir. Ct., Kanawha Cty.).

The cases, which involved elements of 'take-home exposure' and premises liability, are said to be precedent setting in West Virginia, which currently has more than 8,000 claims pending in its Kanawah County Circuit Court.

According to sources, the outcome of each verdict hinged …