Court Affirms Damages Against John Crane, Says Jury 'Free to Believe' Product ID Testimony

PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania appeals court has affirmed a trial court judgment awarding a man damages for asbestos exposure, and said a jury was free to accept the plaintiff's evidence, despite conflicting testimony related to product identification. Richard Hogan v. John Crane Inc. No. 1073 EDA 2003 (Pa. Super. Ct.)

The state Superior Court ruled in its Dec. 18 opinion that the trial court neither erred in denying John Crane Inc.'s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict nor erred in denying the defendant's request for a new trial.

On May 3, 1999, Richard Hogan was diagnosed with pulmonary asbestosis and …