After just two hours of jury deliberation, defendant Pneumo Abex LLC was found to be 75% liable in an asbestos-related lawsuit. Now, the defunct manufacturing company is responsible for paying almost $37 million to the terminally ill claimant.
Gary Hampton, the plaintiff, was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a type of cancer primarily associated with asbestos exposure – in February, 2013. Hampton claimed he developed the disease as a result of working on asbestos-containing brake linings manufactured by Pneumo Abex and Ford Motor Co. This was between 1969 and 1977, when he was employed at an automotive repair shop. Hampton also sued Ford, but the company settled during the two-and-a-half-week trial.
According to Hampton’s attorney, David Jagolinzer, Pneumo Abex made no settlement offers. “I’m a little surprised they didn’t settle,” admitted Jagolinzer. “The case was pretty clear as far as culpability. This was one of the most devastating cases I’ve seen because it ruined three lives,” he said, referring to the lives of Mr. Hampton, his wife, and his daughter.
After five expert witnesses and the family’s personal testimonies, Pneumo Abex was found guilty of negligence for failing to notify Hampton of the dangers involved with asbestos exposure. The company was ordered to pay more than $27 million to Hampton for pain and suffering, $3.7 million to Hampton’s wife for loss of consortium, and $6.1 million to Hampton’s daughter for the loss of her father.
Jagolinzer expects the defense attorneys to appeal the decision.