Asbestos Trial Against Honeywell Ends With $18.5M Verdict

Asbestos Trial Against Honeywell Ends With $18.5M Verdict

Introduction

On Tuesday, January 29, Arkansas federal jury awarded more than $18 million in a lawsuit brought by the family of a mechanic who was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure from automotive brakes, holding Honeywell and Ford Motor Co. responsible for the man's fatal condition.

The deceased man, who worked at a brake shop in the city since the 1970s, was in constant contact with the brakes produced by Bendix Corp. The plaintiff claimed that Honeywell and Ford Motor Co. were liable for his father's death linked to asbestos exposure at work. The victim was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March 2017 and died the same year in December 2017 at age 72. The 24-day trial concluded with Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller ruling partially in favor of the plaintiff after finding that Ford was not responsible for the victim's disease, but Honeywell was 18.75% liable, while the victim himself was 5% responsible for the disease. The remaining blame was put on non-parties such as Pneumo Abex LLC, which settled their part during the jury selection. The jury awarded $5.55 million in damages for pain and suffering, $1 million each for the mental suffering his three children endured, and an additional $10 million in punitive damages against Honeywell. This is one of the largest verdicts against Honeywell recently.

Asbestos exposure has affected thousands of individuals in the U.S. with most of the individuals blaming companies for not taking adequate measures to prevent asbestos exposure hazards. Asbestos fibers from talcum powder is also a prime reason for ovarian cancer in several women who used talc-based products for hygiene purposes.