Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

A jury in Newport News, Virginia, Circuit Court awarded the family of a former Navy sailor $1.2 million, finding that his death from mesothelioma was linked to the asbestos fibers he inhaled during his career. Gerald Gray died in April at age 75, after battling mesothelioma for 16 months. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that most often affects the lining of the lungs, but which can also affect the lining of the abdomen or, more rarely, the heart. It is caused by asbestos exposure.

According to a report in the Newport News Daily Press, five manufacturers were defendants in the case, and the jury originally awarded the family a verdict of $4 million. However, four of the five companies settled out of court before the case went to trial. The jury assigned a percentage of blame to each of the five defendants, leaving the only company to go to trial, John Crane Inc., responsible for 30 percent of the blame for damages, which amounted to $1.2 million. John Crane is an Illinois-based manufacturer of gaskets and other parts used in ships.

Gray passed away before the trial began, but jurors watched a video the man recorded prior to his death. He worked on many ships during his 20-year Naval career, and was exposed to asbestos in his work repairing ships, as parts were replaced. Asbestos was used extensively on ships, including Navy vessels, for decades before its use was discontinued due to health hazards of asbestos exposure.

According to the Daily Press report, Gray’s attorney said the man never blamed the Navy for his illness, and asked hospice workers to allow him to hold a U.S. flag as he died.

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