Jury Renders $2.8 Million Verdict, Finds Thorpe Insulation Liable

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California jury has awarded nearly $2.8 million to a man who claims his asbestosis was caused by asbestos-containing block and pipe covering. Reid v. Thorpe Insulation Co., No. 439613 (Calif. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty.).

The San Francisco Superior Court jury found for Kenneth C. Reid on Aug. 23, rejecting lone defendant Thorpe Insulation's contention that Reid had confused the company's products with another company. The trial was overseen by Judge Ernest H. Goldsmith.

Reid claimed he was exposed to the asbestos-containing block and pipecovering manufactured by Johns-Manville, but installed and removed by Thorpe Insulation.

The …