$10 Million Verdict Affirmed, Claims Correctly Tried under Maritime Law

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Virginia Supreme Court has affirmed a $3.4 million judgment entered against John Crane, rejecting the defendant's contention that the trial court erred in determining who could testify at trial. John Crane, Inc. v. Wanda T. Jones, et al., No. 062164 (Va. Sup. Ct.).

In the Sept. 14 decision, the state's high court also rejected the defendant's contention that the trial court wrongfully allowed the lawsuit to be tried under maritime law.

The claims were asserted by the widow of Garland F. Jones Jr., who was allegedly exposed to asbestos while working as a machinist at a …