Californian Exposed to Brake Product Awarded $1.125 Million

SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco jury awarded more than $1 million to a retired window glazier who claimed he developed mesothelioma after he was exposed to asbestos while changing the brakes on his family's automobile. Berning v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc., et al., No. 319733 (Calif. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty.).

The California Superior Court jury on Jan. 24 awarded John B. Berning $1.125 million in compensatory damages after finding defendant Allied Signal, Inc. 100 percent liable for Berning's alleged injuries.

Berning was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2001 and sued Allied Signal three months later. He and his …