Ohio Jury Awards $6.4 Million to Family of Former Pipefitter

CLEVELAND - Jurors returned a nearly $6.5 million verdict for the family of a former pipefitter who developed mesothelioma after years of alleged exposure to gaskets manufactured by Garlock Sealing Technologies. Blandford v. Garlock, Inc., No. 437948 (Ohio Comm Pls., Cuyahoga Cty.).

The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas jury handed up the $6.4 million compensatory damage award on Nov. 21 after deliberating more than six hours. It found Garlock negligent for failing to warn Clyde Blandford about the dangers associated with the company's gasket products, sources said.

Blandford alleged that he was exposed to Garlock gaskets while working at …