Spartanburg, SC – A South Carolina state court jury has awarded approximately $1.75 million to the widow of a maintenance worker who claimed that exposure to asbestos caused his fatal cancer. The trial, which began on March 18, was closely watched as it unfolded. The jury deliberated for a few hours after hearing closing arguments before reaching their verdict.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Holly Peterson of Simon Greenstone Panatier PC, argued that the husband’s mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer affecting the lungs, was primarily caused by exposure to asbestos in gaskets produced by industrial manufacturer John Crane. Peterson highlighted the tests of lung tissue and witness testimony that confirmed the connection between the illness and the asbestos in John Crane’s products.
While acknowledging that the plaintiff had been exposed to asbestos from various sources throughout his lifetime, Peterson emphasized that the tests and testimonies proved the gaskets and packing produced by John Crane were a significant factor in his illness. Peterson accused John Crane of neglecting to provide adequate warnings about the dangers of asbestos exposure, despite knowing about the health risks associated with it for decades.
Chris Massenburg, the attorney representing John Crane, countered Peterson’s arguments by stating that the plaintiff’s exposure to asbestos from other sources had caused his illness. Massenburg argued that the asbestos contained within the gaskets remained sealed and did not pose a health risk. He claimed that the majority of the plaintiff’s exposure came from cutting through asbestos-containing insulation while gaining access to the gaskets at the Celanese plant.
The jury ultimately found that exposure to asbestos in John Crane’s products was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s death. However, they declined to award the punitive damages requested by the plaintiff’s attorney. The lawsuit initially involved multiple defendants but proceeded to trial with only John Crane remaining active in the case.
Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, Jean Toal, presided over the trial. Toal, now in charge of South Carolina’s consolidated asbestos docket after retiring from the state’s highest court, oversaw the proceedings.
For those interested, the entire trial, including witness testimony, is available for unlimited on-demand viewing through a subscription to CVN’s online trial video library. The library features various civil jury trials from state courts across the country, including numerous asbestos and mass tort cases.
The case, captioned Melba Bolton, et al. v. John Crane Inc., took place in South Carolina’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Spartanburg County.
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