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#4 – $4.39 million
Sarah Rodriguez//January 14, 2009//
Listen to this articleKoonce v. John Crane Inc.
Type of Case: Asbestos, mesothelioma
Court: Newport News Circuit Court
Attorneys: Robert R. Hatten, J. Conrad Metcalf, Hugh B. McCormick III, William W.C. Harty, Erin E. Heironoimus, Newport News
Summary: Plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which can only be caused by exposure to asbestos, in April 2006. He had worked as an apprentice boilermaker from 1968 to 1971 at Norfolk Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. when World War II-era ships were being refurbished for use in the Vietnam War. Witnesses identified John Crane Inc. as the primary manufacturer of asbestos gaskets and other materials containing asbestos that were used in the project.
John Crane contended it knew nothing about asbestos-related diseases before 1970, but plaintiff’s attorneys introduced studies that connected asbestos to mesothelioma years before his exposure to asbestos.
Plaintiff had a lung removed as a result of the disease, and his treating physicians testified that his prognosis is terminal. John Crane has filed a notice of appeal.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Woodshop incident leads to amputation of fingers — $1.3M settlement
- Motorcyclist’s foot amputated in collision — $7M settlement
- Contractor rear-ended on interstate on way to wedding — $825,000 settlement
- Man suffers back injury in crash with out-of-state driver — $530,000 settlement
- Driver crossed center line, struck 89-year-old’s vehicle — $1.2M settlement
- Jury returns defense verdict in favor of gastroenterologist
- Teens killed in T-bone collision with officer — $3.1M settlement
- Man sustained subdural hematoma in rear-end collision —$1.15M settlement
- Adequate anesthesia not provided during C-section — $2.5M verdict
- Tenant fell ill from mold in apartment — $588,000 verdict
- Woman suffers nerve injury, pain after dental procedure — $550,000 settlement
- Driver struck child exiting school bus — $750,000 settlement
Opinion Digests
- Suit over historic mansion and estate dismissed
- Former employee’s claims survive motion to dismiss
- Equal Pay Act doesn’t apply to applicant
- Court rejects invocation of attorney-client privilege
- Evidence supported competency determination
- Appellees had power to remove business manager
- No continuance after witnesses failed to appear
- No actual or constructive eviction in warranty case
- Gas distribution pipeline exempt from ZBA regulation
- Improper venue in air pollution regulation matter
- No benefits awarded in unemployment comp case
- No immunity for judge who personally oversaw search
