Court Vacates Asbestos Verdict, Says Injury Didn't Justify Award

PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania appeals court has vacated a $2.5 million asbestos verdict awarded to a former plumber and his wife after finding that the plaintiffs' asbestos-related injuries did not justify such an excessive amount of damages. Smalls v. Pittsburgh-Corning Corp., et al., No. 1828 EDA 2002 (Pa. Super. Ct.).

In a decision rendered Feb. 13, the Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed a trial court's entry of judgment on the award because the impairment alleged by the plaintiff, who claimed he suffered from shortness of breath, was not substantial enough to warrant a $2.5 million verdict.

Oscar Smalls worked for 25 …