Jury Returns $9.7 Million Verdict in Calif. Asbestos Case

LOS ANGELES - A California jury has awarded $9.7 million to a former machinist mate for the U.S. Navy, finding lone defendant Crane Co. two percent liable for the plaintiff's mesothelioma. Brewer v. Crane Co., BC374988 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

Judge William MacLaughlin of the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County presided over the eight-week trial. Crane Co. was the only remaining defendant when jurors returned the verdict on May 16.

After five days of deliberations, jurors awarded the plaintiffs $700,000 in economic damages and $5 million in non-economic damages to Chief Brewer, who was diagnosed with …