Calif. Jury Reaches Defense Verdict for Dana Companies, John Crane in Asbestos Case

LOS ANGELES – A California jury has reached a defense verdict in favor of Dana Companies and John Crane, rejecting claims of a former pipefitter that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos in the defendants' products.

Judge Patrick T. Madden of the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County presided over the trial, which ended in a verdict on Jan. 17. Dana Companies LLC and John Crane Inc. were the lone remaining defendants at the time of the verdict.

Plaintiffs Nicolaas and Brigitte Schildknegt contend in their complaint that Nicolaas' work as a pipefitter at a number …