Lewis Brisbois Obtains Defense Verdict in $22M Asbestos Suit

October 31, 2017

Lewis Brisbois attorneys Scott Masterson, Florence McClain, and Ashley Waller convinced a Los Angeles County jury to return a verdict on Friday in favor of Dexter Hysol Aerospace LLC.

Lewis Brisbois attorneys Scott Masterson, Florence McClain, and Ashley Waller convinced a Los Angeles County jury to return a verdict on Friday in favor of Dexter Hysol Aerospace LLC.

The plaintiffs, the four children of Velma Searcy, filed suit against Dexter Hysol and numerous others for wrongful death, negligence, strict products liability, and punitive damages. Dexter Hysol was the only defendant remaining at the time of trial.

The plaintiffs alleged that Searcy, 51, developed malignant mesothelioma as the result of occupational and childhood asbestos exposure, including to Dexter Hysol aerospace adhesives during her career as an electrical technician in the aerospace industry from 1982 to 1987. 

Dexter Hysol presented evidence that Searcy did not have mesothelioma or any asbestos-related disease. Dexter Hysol also contended that Searcy was not exposed to asbestos from its products because its aerospace adhesives were not present at Searcy’s workplaces as alleged.

The plaintiffs requested the jury award $21.6 million for the wrongful death of Searcy and punitive damages for the alleged malicious conduct of Dexter Hysol. The jury deliberated for less than three hours and returned a verdict in favor of Dexter Hysol, finding that the decedent did not have an asbestos-related disease.

Read Law360’s coverage of the defense verdict here.