California Jury Awards Navy Mechanic $100,000 for Asbestosis Claim

SAN FRANCISCO - A former U.S. Navy mechanic with asbestosis has been awarded just over $100,000 by a California jury for his exposure to asbestos shed from boilers he worked around during the 1940s. Sunderman v. Aqua-Chem, Inc., No. 318031 (Calif. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty.).

Following a five-week trial and a verdict Nov. 21, the San Francisco Superior Court jury found defendant Aqua-Chem, Inc., responsible for Lewis Sunderman's alleged damages, which sources said will likely amount to approximately $80,000 after setoffs for previous settlements. The jury also found that a design defect in the Aqua-Chem asbestos-containing product, along with …