Judge Says John Crane's Chrysotile Products Didn't Cause Peritoneal Mesothelioma

CLEVELAND - A federal judge has ruled that asbestos released by defendant John Crane's gasket and packing products was not a substantial contributing factor in a former merchant seaman's development of peritoneal mesothelioma. Bartel v. John Crane, Inc., No. 98-1322 (N.D. Ohio).

Judge Dan Aaron Polster of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio released his post-trial findings of fact and conclusions of law on May 3 following a week-long bench trial that took place in February. In reaching the decision to absolve John Crane of any liability in the death of plaintiff Rolf Lindstrom, Judge Polster …