Illinois Jury Finds for Georgia-Pacific in Joint Compound Asbestos Trial

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. –– An Illinois jury has reached a defense verdict in favor of Georgia-Pacific, rejecting a former carpenter’s claim that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos in the defendant’s drywall joint compound product.

The Illinois 3rd Judicial Court for Madison County jury reached the verdict on Nov. 15. Associate Judge Stephen A. Stobbs presided over the trial.

Georgia-Pacific was the lone remaining defendant at the time of the trial, sources said.

James Reef contended that he developed mesothelioma after he was exposed to asbestos-containing products he encountered as a career carpenter. Reef specifically alleged that …