SPARTANBURG, SC – A jury in South Carolina has awarded approximately $1.75 million to the widow of a maintenance worker who died from cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The trial, closely monitored by Courtroom View Network, found that the asbestos in gaskets produced by John Crane, an industrial manufacturing company, played a significant role in the worker’s death. However, the jury did not grant the punitive damages requested by the plaintiff’s attorney.
The verdict was reached after closing arguments were heard in the trial that began on March 18. Attorney Holly Peterson, representing the plaintiff, argued that Curtis Bolton’s mesothelioma, a terminal form of lung cancer linked to asbestos inhalation, was primarily caused by exposure to asbestos in the gaskets and packing created by John Crane. Peterson highlighted the results of tests on Bolton’s lung tissue and witness testimonies to support her argument.
The lawsuit initially named multiple defendants, but John Crane was the only remaining defendant when the case went to trial. Peterson accused the company of failing to provide proper warnings about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, despite having knowledge of the danger for decades. She referenced regulatory warnings issued in Illinois, where John Crane is headquartered, dating back to the 1940s.
In defense of John Crane, attorney Chris Massenburg of MG+M Law Firm argued that Bolton’s illness was primarily caused by asbestos exposure from other sources. Massenburg maintained that the asbestos inside the gaskets Bolton worked on remained sealed and did not pose a risk. He cited expert witness testimony and scientific studies to support his claim.
The trial was presided over by former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, Jean Toal, who now oversees the state’s consolidated asbestos docket. The full trial, including witness testimonies, is available for on-demand viewing through an online trial video library subscription provided by Courtroom View Network.
The case, captioned Melba Bolton, et al. v. John Crane Inc., was heard in South Carolina’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Spartanburg County.