Jury Awards Nearly $90 Million in Pipefitter Asbestos Case

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- An Illinois jury has awarded $89.6 million to a former pipefitter in an asbestos case in which Honeywell International Inc., Pneumo Abex, Owens-Illinois Inc. and John Crane Inc. were the remaining defendants. Gillenwater v. Honeywell Inc., et al., No. 10L117 (Ill. Cir. Ct., McLean Cty.).

Under Illinois law, each defendant will be jointly liable for $9.6 million, the compensatory damages portion of the verdict. The Illinois Circuit Court for McLean County jurors further awarded punitive damages in the amount of $40 million against Owens-Illinois and $20 million each against Honeywell and Pneumo Abex.

Judge Scott Drazewski presided …