Jury Finds for ExxonMobil in Mesothelioma Case

SAN FRANCISCO -- A jury has returned a verdict in favor of ExxonMobil, finding the company had no duty to protect a plaintiff who worked for an independent contractor at one of the defendant's refineries from exposure to asbestos. Thomas and Blanche Bruner v. Exxon Mobil, No. 431429 (Calif. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty.).

Jurors in the California Superior Court for San Francisco County entered the verdict on March 11, following a trial in which ExxonMobil argued that the plaintiff had been significantly exposed to asbestos at other job sites as well.

Thomas Bruner alleged that his mesothelioma resulted …