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Editor: M. Brandon Smith
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Mesothelioma Lawsuits

In the mid 1960s, Plaintiff Jones worked as a shipyard machinist in the engine rooms of various submarines and aircraft carriers. In carrying out these work related duties, Mr. Jones removed and replaced gaskets that were shipped in packages containing asbestos fibers and dust. The prolonged exposure to these particles and fibers ultimately led to Mr. Jones contracting mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, at the age of 60 and caused immense health problems for the former shipyard worker. After almost a year of battling mesothelioma, Mr. Jones tragically died as a result of the deadly cancer.

Individually and on behalf of her husband's estate, his wife brought suit against numerous defendants under theories of strict liability and negligence for the death of her husband. All but one of the defendants settled prior to trial. At trial, after hearing all of the evidence, a Virginia jury awarded $10.4 million to the Plaintiff and apportioned fault to each party who contributed to Mr. Jones' death. As the other defendant's also found liable had already settled, the amounts attributed to their negligence was reduced by the trial court to their pre-trial settlement amounts. The remaining defendant was held accountable for $3.4 million of the verdict amount after being found 34% at fault.

Cite: Jones v. John Crane, Inc., Va., Newport News City Cir., No. 39028T-01 (July 26, 2006)