La. Jury Awards $10.3 Million at Conclusion of In-Person Asbestos Trial Against Stevedoring, Shipping Companies

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana jury has awarded $10.3 million at the conclusion of an in-person asbestos trial that was the first trial to take place in New Orleans since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Louisiana Civil District Court for Orleans Parish reached the verdict on Nov. 4, finding Ports America Gulfport Inc. (f/k/a Atlantic & Gulf), Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring Co. Inc., and South African Marine (Safmarine) liable for the plaintiff’s injuries.

The award totaled $10,351,020.70 in compensatory damages. Hon. Ethel Simms Julien presided over the trial, which lasted more than three weeks. Jurors deliberated for approximately two-and-a-half hours …