A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury has awarded over $33 million in non-economic damages to an 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran who blamed exposure to asbestos-containing theatrical lighting equipment for his diagnosis with pleural mesothelioma. The jury found the company 100% liable and guilty of malice.
Hollywood Career Exposed Mesothelioma Victim to Asbestos-Insulated Motion Picture Cables
George Stephenson’s original mesothelioma lawsuit named PK&P Investment Co., formerly known as Mole-Richardson Co., Ltd. and Mole-Richardson Rentals, but at trial Mole-Richardson was the only remaining defendant. The victim blamed his terminal cancer on occupational exposure he’d suffered during the decades he’d spent as a Hollywood cameraman: He’d worked with and around Mole-Richardson’s theatrical and studio lighting equipment, which he claimed incorporated asbestos-insulated motion-picture cables and other asbestos-containing components.
The mesothelioma trial spanned nine days, after which the jury took approximately two and a half hours to reach its unanimous decision in favor of Mr. Stephenson on each of his claims, including finding the company guilty of malice. They attributed 100% of liability for the victim’s injuries to the company, and awarded $33,384,400 in non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of life’s enjoyment.
Mesothelioma Verdict Indicates Company Acted with Willful Disregard for Safety
In his filing, Mr. Stephenson had waived economic damages in the mesothelioma case, choosing instead to focus on compensation for the physical and emotional suffering he was enduring. The jury’s finding of malice showed they believed Mole-Richardson acted with willful and conscious disregard for worker safety when manufacturing and supplying its asbestos-containing lighting equipment to the Hollywood film industry.
Though the case was scheduled to move on to a second phase to determine punitive damages, the matter was resolved before that could happen, indicating that a potential settlement had been reached between the company and the mesothelioma victim. The jury’s malice finding would likely have exposed Mole-Richardson to substantial additional punitive damages designed to punish the company.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
