2008 - Newinski v. John Crane Co.: Dennis Newinski brought suit against John Crane Co., alleging that he had developed mesothelioma as a result of working with products manufactured by them that contained asbestos. Newinski worked for the Northern States Power Company for 35 years, from 1968 to 2000. He often handled and used asbestos gaskets and packing materials manufactured by the defendant in his work. Newinski was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2007.
Verdict: plaintiff, $4.6 million
2001 - Joseph Akin, et al. v. Koch Industries, Inc., A.P.I., Inc. and Hickory Insulation: Akin and his wife brought suit against the defendants, alleging that he had been exposed to asbestos while working as an insulator in Minnesota, and had subsequently developed mesothelioma as a result of that exposure. His wife sued for loss of consort and attendant damages making the same allegations.
Verdict: plaintiff, $8 million
2005 - API Inc., v. One Beacon America Insurance Company: In an interesting twist, API Inc, an insurance contractor company that is a frequent defendant in Minnesota asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits, took on the role of plaintiff in this case. API charged that One Beacon had failed to defend it from hundreds of lawsuits related to asbestos. During the 1980s, API was hit with over 700 lawsuits related to asbestos used. One Beacon America was the successor to General Accident Insurance, which had insured API from 1958 to 1966. One Beacon America refused to defend API against the lawsuits. API brought suit charging breach of contract and bad faith. A jury agreed and made one of the largest asbestos-related settlements in Minnesota history.
Verdict: Plaintiff, $52.5 million, including $27.5 million for breach of contract, $10 million for operating in bad faith and $15 million for breach of duty
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace can open the door for a personal injury lawsuit. Each state has different requirements that the plaintiff must use to prove their case, as well as a particular amount of time that they have to file suit.
Verdict: plaintiff, $4.6 million
2001 - Joseph Akin, et al. v. Koch Industries, Inc., A.P.I., Inc. and Hickory Insulation: Akin and his wife brought suit against the defendants, alleging that he had been exposed to asbestos while working as an insulator in Minnesota, and had subsequently developed mesothelioma as a result of that exposure. His wife sued for loss of consort and attendant damages making the same allegations.
Verdict: plaintiff, $8 million
2005 - API Inc., v. One Beacon America Insurance Company: In an interesting twist, API Inc, an insurance contractor company that is a frequent defendant in Minnesota asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits, took on the role of plaintiff in this case. API charged that One Beacon had failed to defend it from hundreds of lawsuits related to asbestos. During the 1980s, API was hit with over 700 lawsuits related to asbestos used. One Beacon America was the successor to General Accident Insurance, which had insured API from 1958 to 1966. One Beacon America refused to defend API against the lawsuits. API brought suit charging breach of contract and bad faith. A jury agreed and made one of the largest asbestos-related settlements in Minnesota history.
Verdict: Plaintiff, $52.5 million, including $27.5 million for breach of contract, $10 million for operating in bad faith and $15 million for breach of duty
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace can open the door for a personal injury lawsuit. Each state has different requirements that the plaintiff must use to prove their case, as well as a particular amount of time that they have to file suit.
