Mississippi Supreme Court Reverses $150 Million Asbestos Verdict

JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi Supreme Court has reversed a $150 million verdict awarded in 2001 to six asbestos plaintiffs, determining that the trial court erred when it allowed the claims to be joined and tried against multiple defendants. 3M Co. v. Simeon Johnson, No.2002-CA-01651-SCT (Miss. Sup. Ct.).

In the Jan. 20 decision, the state's highest court cited the various recent decisions where courts have held that cases joined under Rule 20 must involve claims that arise out of the same transaction or occurrence.

'Although the plaintiffs all allege exposure to asbestos, the plaintiffs worked in different occupations, for different …