arrow left
arrow right
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES HUSBAND VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B*P) AS REFLECTED ON EXHIBITS ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

Preview

John R. Brydon [Bar No. 83365] George A. Otstott [Bar No. 184671] Thomas J. Moses [Bar No. 116002] BRYDON HUGO & PARKER 135 Main Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone (415) 808-0300 Facsimile (415) 808-0333 Email: service@bhplaw.com Attorney for Defendant UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION ELECTRONICALLY FILED Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco MAR 02 2012 Clerk of the Court BY: JUDITH NUNEZ Deputy Clerk SUPERIOR COURT - STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO — UNLIMITED JURISDICTION TN RE: BRAYTON GROUP 581 AND 582 ROBERT A. LINDSEY, SR,, Plaintiff, vs. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BP), Defendants. (ASBESTOS) Case No: CGC-10-275492 COMPENDIUM OF OUT-OF-STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF OPPOSITION OF DEFENDANT UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION TO PLAINTIEFS’ MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE THE REMAINING ASBESTOSIS CASES IN GROUPS 581 AND 582 FOR TRIAL (Part 1 of 2) [Filed Concurrently With Opposition; Declaration of Thomas J. Moses] Date: Time: Dept.: Judge: March 9, 2012 10:00 a.m. 608 Curtiss E.A. Karnow JAMES NASH, Plaintiff, vs. ASBESTOS. DEFENDANTS (BP), Defendants. (ASBESTOS: Case No. CGC-09-275414 -L COMPENDIUM OF OUT-OF-STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION'S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE THE REMAINING ASBESTOSIS CASES IN GROUPS 581 AND 582 FOR TRIAL(ASBESTOS) EMILIO VALDIVIA, Case No. CGC-09-275311 Plaintiff, vs. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BP), Defendants. (ASBESTOS) RONALD HEVENER, Case No. CGC-08-274851 Plaintiff, vs. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BP), Defendants. (ASBESTOS) CHARLES HUSBAND, Case No. CGC-09-275098 Plaintiff, vs. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (B“P), Defendants. Exhibit 1: Cain v. Armstrong World Industries (S.D. Ala. 1992) 785 F. Supp. 1448 Exhibit 2: Consorti v. Armstrong World Indus., Inc. (24 Cir, 1995) 72 F.3d 1003 Exhibit 3: Hendrix v. Raybestos-Manhattan (11" Cir. 1985) 776 F.2d 1492 Exhibit 4: Illinois Central Railroad Company v. Gregory (Miss. 2005) 912 So.2d 829 Exhibit 5: In re Brooklyn Navy Yard Asbestos Litigation (2"4 Cir. 1992) 971 F.2d 831 Exhibit 6: In re Consolidated Parlodel Litig. (D.N.J. 1998) 182 F.R.D. 441 Exhibit 7: In re Ethyl Corp. (Tex. 1998) 975 S.W.2d 606 Exhibit 8: In re Repetitive Stress Injury Litg. (2"4 Cir. 1993) 11 F.3d 368 Exhibit 9: In re Shell Oil Co. (Tex. 2006) 202 S.W.3d 286 2 COMPENDIUM OF OUT-OF-STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION'S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE THE REMAINING ASBESTOSIS CASES IN GROUPS 581 AND 582 FOR TRIAL,Exhibit 10: Exhibit 11: Exhibit 12: Exhibit 13: Exhibit 14: Exhibit 15: Exhibit 16: Exhibit 17: In re Van Waters and Roberts, Inc. (Tex. 2004) 145 S.W.3d 203 In re Welding Rod Fume Prods. Liab. Litig. (N.D. Ohio), 2006 WL 1869548 Johnson v. Celotex Corp. (204 Cir. 1990) 899 F.2d 1281 Katz v. Realty Equities Corp. of New York (2 Cir. 1975) 521 F.2d 1354 Malcolm v. National Gypsum Co, (2° Cir. 1993) 995 F.2d 346 North Am. Refractory Co. v. Easter (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1999) 988 S.W.2d 904 Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Martin (Tex.App.-Dallas 1997) 942 S.W.2d 712 Schwartz, A Letter To The Nation’s Trial Judges: How The Focus On Efficiency Is Hurting You And Innocent Victims In Asbestos Liability Cases (2000) 24. Am. J. Trial Advocate. 247 3. COMPENDIUM OF OUT-OF-STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION’S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE THE REMAINING ASBESTOSIS CASES IN GROUPS 581 AND 582 FOR TRIALi i i i i i i‘785 B.Supp. 1448 - 785 F-Supp. 1448, Prod.Linb Rep, (CCH) P 13,285 e — Caley: Annatrong- Workd-Industries---—- 5.D.Ala,, 1992, United States District Court, 8.2, Alabama, South- dra Division, CAIN, eta. ¥. ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRISS, et el, WBAVER, at al, ve ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIBS, et al, HICKS, ete, vw ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIBS, et al. BOLEN Ve ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, ef al, CLEMENTS, et al. Ye ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, etal, James WEAVER, et al, % ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, of ah. BENJAMIN, of al. ¥. ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, et al, . BROWN, et al, vs ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, etal, Willard BROWN, et al. vs ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, of al, Thoms BROWN, of al. ve ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRUBS, ct al, WILSON, otal, vw ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIRS, et al, BRUNER, et al, w . ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIKS, of al, BROOKS Page Zof 1) Page J We ~~ARMSTRONG-WORLD INDUSTRIES; etapa Nos, CV-87-1172, CV-87-1179, CV-87-1180, CV STAID, CV-BT-AZ21, CV-B7-1245, CV-81-1256, CV-BMIZID, CV-B)-1285, CV-87-1298, CV- 87-1299, CV-87-1808 and CV-BT-I3I6. Feb, 18, 1992, : i . Ten personal injury and. three wrongfid death ao : tions, arising out of worker expesurs to asbestos, ‘wore brought against various asbestos menufactir- or. Marufacturora moved for judgment -sotydth- standing verdict er for new trials, or remitting of damages, following jury verdicts in clatmants* fae vor. The District Court, Butler, 1, held fury (1) damages verdict were grossly excessive, ad @ taint of awards was sufficient fo require new triel on Hability as wall as damages, NeW trial ordered. i ‘West Headnotes {1} Federat Cll Peocedure 1704, ©2372608,3 ITGA. Federal Civil Procedure T7BARVTI Adgment TOAXVIE) Notwithstanding Verdict TIDAK2608 Evidence 470AK2608,) KI General. Most Cited Cases Ponnerly 170Ak2608) Asbestos mannficlurers were not entitled to judg- meat notwithstanding verdict in their favor in sults brought by workers claiming personel injury dus to asbeutos contact; reasonable triers of fact cond dif. fer as to whether claknants had suffered from as- : bestos-related lung disease, or were exposed to pat ! ticular defendant's product, and whether arly expos | wo was a substantial contributing factor to Injury, ! | { [2] Damages 115 C=>127.3 : 145 Damages © 2008 Thomson Renters/ West, No Claim to Org, US Gay, Works, hittp://web2, westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?prit~HTMLB &destination=atpéssvSplit... 10¢7/2008“785 F.Supp, 1448 785 F.Supp. 1448, Prod,Liah Rep. (COR) P 13,285 MISVIEl Amount Awarded TISVIA) in General 15k127.2 k, Excessive Demages in Gen ORAL Most Citad C8808 roca mses (Pormerly 1151128) Damages are deemed to be excessive under Alabama law if they shock judicial consciences or arg 89 great as fo indicate bias, passion, or preju- dica. (3] Damages 115 €=9127,71@2) 115 Damages ViSVIl Amount Awarded LISVE(B) injuries to the Person 113k127.69 Expenses “Of and Loss of Services Performed By, Injured Person 115Kk127.71 Medical Treatment and Custodial Care: . W1SKI27.71@) k, Future Expenses, Mast Cited Cases Formerly 1151135) Tuy award of between $80,000 and $100,000 for future wedieal expenses, for each of ten ckdmants alloging that they were injwed through exposure to asbestos, was clearly exosssive aud unsupported by evidence; in only three ont af ten cases did claimants arguably prove such ameuals.and for oth- ers their own experts testified only as to cost of 9200 (o $500 a year for medical monitoring, [4] Damages 115 €2127,7 115 Damages LSVU Amount Awarded TISVI(B) Injuries fo the Person W15kt27.7 kin Goneral. Mast Cited Cases Wormerly 1156130,1, 115k130(1)} Under Alabama love damages for pain and suffering, genorally should be left to sound, discretion of jury; however disaretion may be corrested for cleat ab- use and passionate exersise, 15} Damages 115 =>14),7 ~Dipirons-—~ Page 3 of 11 : Page Z 115 Damages {SVE Amount Awarded LISVIKE) Mental Suffering and Emotional 1151140.7 k Partioular Cases, Most Cited Cases @ormerly 115k132(1)} Damages 14 C2127.) 115 Damages TIS¥TE Amount Awarded JLSVTI(B) tojuries to the Person NiSKIZ7A1 k, Internal Injuries in Gener al, Most Cited Cases (Formerly 1 18k132(1)) Compensatory damage award of $500,000, cover- ing paix and suffering, for anh worker claiming w have suffered damage as a result of asbestos exPOL> ure, war clearly oxovgsive; asbestosis om which claimants allegedly suffered was not partloularly painful disease, claimants had not established pain- ful emotional distress arising ont of foar of dovelop- ing cancer br future, and average compensatory damage award in similar cases prior to present tris! had bosn $169,100 with targést amount being 350,000, fG] Federal Civil Procedure 170A. Car2315 TOA Federal Civil Procedure TADAXYVI New Trial VIOAXVICA) by General T?OAKQ314 Portial New Trial of Rehear- ing 17OAN2515 i, ‘Damages, Most Cited Cases . Improper consolidation of astestos exposure por sonal lnjacy and wrongful death cases required new trial on all iseuea, xather than remittitur or-wew trial on damage issue alone; lability had beet strongly contested fy each nse, compensatory damages “wore greatly disproportionate. to injury in each of the persona] injury cases and also unsupported by evidence in many eases, and thore was evidence “fury bad failed to follow cowrts instuations duc to © 2008 Thomaon Reutors/Wost, No Clatm to Orig, US Gov. Works, bitpy//web2. westlaw.comn/print/printstream aspx tprft-HTMLEécdestination=atp&sv-Split,. 10/7/2008783 Reap, 148.» . 785 F.Supp, 1448, Prod.Lisb.Rep, (CCH) P 13,285 vomploxities introduced through consolidation, [7] Federal Courts 1708 C0313 bitp://eveb?,-westlaw.com/print/printstream. ssp ?prfteHTMLEéidestination~atpScsveSplit,, 10/7/2008 “VI08 Federet Courts TOBY Courts of Appeals T7OBVINCE) Scope, Standards, and Extent LPOBVINICK)4 Discretion of Lower Court TWOBKSI3 k. Allowance of Remedy and Mutters of Procedure in General, Most Cited Cazes Trial court's degision to consolidate actions for trial will be overtarned only if it amounts to abuse of disoretion, . _ 18] Bederal Civil Procedure 170A €208,1 VGA Federal Civil Procedare VGAL In General VIGAI(A) In General FFOAK8 Consolidation of Actions TIOAK8.2 k. In Generel Most Cited Cases (Formerly 170A)8) Consolidation of ten personal injury lawenits and three. wrongfal death lawsuits, involving sxposure to asbestos by workers, was prejudicial to rights of asbestos manufacturers even though special meas- uros vere taken such as firmishing of notebooks to Jurors, cautionary instructions, and spacial inferrog- utory forins; similarities of awards made to various complainants, despite considerable differences in proof, and overall “exorbitant” awards in view of proof offered, indicated that jury had not carried out judge's instruotions. . *145¢ Russell W. Budd, Lise Blue, Dalles, Tex, 8G, Middisbrgoks, Mobile, Als., for plaintiff. Michasl B, Kinnard, Knoxvilla, Tem, J. Rando'ph Bibb, Jn, Nashville, Tonn., for defendant, MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER BUTLER, Distriot Judge, These consolidated actions are before the Court on @ motion for judgmont notwithstnidiiy die-verdict Page 4.0f 11 Page 3 of, in the alternative, for new triels or for remittit: urs of damages filed by the defendants, Owens- Itinois, Ine. nid Keene Corporation, These thirteen Separate actions .were,.consolideted. for.trial-overdem—.-. fendaats' objections. Following a fifteen day trial, the jury.ceinrned verdiots tn. faver of euch plaintiff, After carefil review of tho record, the verdicts, the argument of counsel and the applicable law, the Court finds that the motion far jmo.y. is due to be denied but that the defendants are entitled to a new trial in, each case: PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND These actions consist of ten personal igury and three wrongful death actions arfsing from the ex- posure of each plalntlf, or plaintiff's dacodent, to asbestos In the workplace, In the majorly of cases, exposure allegedly ocurred af Alabama Dry Dovic and Shipbuilding (ADDSCO). In cach case, the plaintiff alleged threo theories of recovery: negii- gence, wantonnuss and violation of the Alabama Extended Manufacturers Liability Doctrine, Two of te wrongfut death actions and seven of the person al injury actions also contain clafras for loss of con- sorthnn filed by the wife und widow of the worker, Although the dofendarty varied in cach case, suby stantially the samo defindants wore named in exch case, Ths issue of knowledge or stato of the-art was common to cach case, as were the defendants! af firmative defenses, Because the actlons involved common, questions of law and fact and in the Inv ‘terest of judicial] economy, the Court aonsoldeted the ustions for trial porsvant to the authority of Rule 42 of the Pederel Rujes of Civil Procedure. Folfowing a fifteen day trial, the jury deliberated about six hours and returned verdicts in favor of afl plaintiffs. In eank of the sight non-caneer personal Injury cases, the jury awarded oampensatory dam- ages of $80,000 for future medical expenses and $500,000 for pain and suffering and punitive dam agés of $1,500,000 per defendant. In each of the {WO osneer personal injury cases, the jury awarded Sompensatery damages of $100,600 for future med © 2008 Thomson Reuters/West, Wo Claim to Orig, US Goy, Works, 4 i ijeal ‘expenses ‘and $750,000 tor patn and .sntierkig and punitive damages, of 31,500,000 per defendant, dn each of the wronglul death vases, the fury-awar --Gded..83,000,000...in.punttive. damages. onbytHh Bop -mun-dTta bhi personal injury-ueiloa-pleiitife presented —-o-— meneame each loss of consertiun claim: the jury” awarded $50,000. FNL. Only panitlye damages are recover able. under Alabama's “wrongfid death state ute, Ala.Gode. §-tr5410 (1975). Lowe », General Matas Cora, 624 F.2d 1373 (5th Chr, 1980}; Deaton-v, Burroughs, 456-80,24 TH (Ala. 1984), LEGAL ANALYSIS £, MOTION FOR 3.N.OY. {1] The evidenes yresenied at’trial does not, support & judgment notwithstanding 145% ‘the verdict in any of these actions, The “Bleyenth Clrouit: has stated thy. siandard to. which a tial court must ad- here when considering a motion for judgment not- withslanding the vordiots. Adi of. the evidence presented. af ‘trial must be con sidered “iy the light-and with all reasonable infer oneas zost. favorable to the party opposing the mo- tion,” -A ‘motion for Judgment no. should bs granted only where “reasonable [peapley could not ative at a contrary verdict 3.” Where substantial conflicting evidence Is presented such, that -roason- able people “in the exerciga of ‘impartial judgment. might reach different.conclusion, [sie?’-the- mation should be denied. * Sion». Sheaeson Lehiaan Bros, 895. P2¢ 1304, 1319 (C1Uth .Cir,1929) (quoting Casile-y. Sangamo Weston, 827 Ed 1550, 1358 (1th Cir,1988)), Despite defendants’ esseriions to ‘the vontrary, plaintiffs in oavh’ case “have : presented sufficlent evidences from which ‘a reasonable Juror could find the defendants Hable, it ls unecessary to-igexam- {ne all the testimony-here, Suvfies ft to say thatthe Court has-reviewed the record and fendants heVe failed t6 Joo! at the Con Pape.5 of 11. tatst, that is,.in the Heht most favorable to thenon~ moviig party. Instead, defendants have cited only - fhed.tontinnony favorable to thom in most-instances, evidence that-he, saffored trom an asbestos-related lung ‘disease, that he was exposed to defendants' as bestos-oontaining products, that gach and every ex- posure Wasa ‘substantial contributing factor to his injuries and that he sufitved damages as a result, In savh-wrongfil death otse plaintiff prosented proof that het. decedent was-expased to-defindants’ asbes~ tos-oontaining products and that such expostre. yas a.substantlal contribating cause of ‘his: death. In short, the evidenes la such thet reasonable persons might have reached differing conclusions 2% ‘FN2, However, for. the seasons discussed in Section H, even though plalitifts did “present some evidence of Hability lo” each coase, “the. Court cannot day thatthe Jury's decision fo. find In favor of the -plainttfts was not ‘hinted by the, passion gud prejue dice that resulted from. the, consolidation of these actions: JL. MOTION FOR NEW TRIALS. ‘The Court finds that the defendants are entitled to new irlals for twe.reezons, First, new trials are, year varted.in Bach of the ‘personal injury zotlons bey ‘omuge the. compensatory damages mwarded In cach ‘vase wert-so-excansiva as to indio#e. passion tid prejudice on the part of the Jury. Second, the con~ solidation. of such @ largemanber of .actlone ine volving both personal injury and wrongful death restited it prejudiola). error. Although “these are sepaate grounds for granting the-motion jor new ‘tial, the two ars interrelated, A, Bxcossive Damages J2) ‘There, are two issues-te Court must conftont in deciding a:motion for new tial based on. oxceasive damages, (1). whether the-amount’ ofthe awurd is saxcessive and (2) the-proper romedy te be applied, ©2008 Thomson Rentere/ Vest. No Claim to Orig, US Gov Works, hitp://veb2, weathaw.cony/print/printsiream aspx Pprit=HTMLB&edestination-atp&sv-Split.... 10/7/2008 . mae sae | i |omen ernennrninrenemnrer bh AZ HDS EA TEL IST... 7SP Supp. a8 785 F.Stipp, 1448, Prod. Liab Rep, (OCH) P 13,285 Stats substantive Taw governs ‘tho, first issue while © federal provednesl fay: governs the. sesond, Estate of davkson.y. Phillips Petroleum Co, 676 F.Supp. Damages are. déemed tu be. excessive ender Alebanalaw “if -they. shook the judicte!l cousoience er are so great as to hdicate-bigs, prsston, or-pirelie dice,” Sumhern Lye. &, Health ing. Ca, v Smitty, 518 Bold 77, 82 (Aia1987), ‘The compensatory damages -avardes! onch.plaintiff in this estion not only -shook-the judicial oanscienve -but also por sundg ‘the Court thet the jury verdicts were ‘preju- Govd by. the joluder of all these ations, The. com- pensatory’ damage awards were. divided into two parts; future hospitalization and pain and suffering, {3} The awatd of fxtwe medical exponses is olearly exeossive and nnsupporied by: the pyidence in the- taajority of personal injury cases, The jury awarded 880,000 to $100,000. in each persopal injry case for tufure-medioal expenses, However, in ‘only three of ten cases. did -plaintiifa prove -sugh . emonnts, Plaintiffs offered proof of fatwe"t452 medical ox- penses. fhtcugh their medical vaperts, that. each Plainti?f-qwould’ require annual medical monitoring for the remainder of-his life asa result of his ashes. tos-roleted disease or injury at. a gos, of 8200. tp $500 “par yest. Thus, the maximum recovery per plaintiff tor medical :moutioring should range front $4,050 to ‘$10,200 depending. upon platntiif's age and life expectuncy. For seven of the ten plaintiffs these aro.the only. future medical expenses proven, FN3, ‘These amounts represent the mpi um. nredical moaltoring- costs (8300) anal} plicd by the life expectancies of the oldest and. ‘yourdgest plaintiffy, respoativaly | (8.1 ‘years ancl 20.4 years), Tn adgition to, thess medical amenitoring -expenses, three plaintiffs, James. "Weaver, Jesse Benjamin. and, Jougph’. Brammer, offered. testiinduy that they were likely to incyr hospitalization sosty in the future, ‘Their medical experts testifledt jet ‘becuse ‘their Page.6 of 11 sebentns-related -diseage ‘had shown signa of pros grasslon, these thrye plaintiffs ‘wero likely 40 sutior from complications such ag lung infections whieh -would -raquire.-fhoapltaltzation Ma SH gave’ ex ppFf mem nennenninsiatsnnne estimated thetotel cost-of future hospitalizations ag e result of these complications to be. $50,000 to $70,000. .Dr. Gaston Lorino, who testified on behalf, of Mr. Braner and Mr, Benjamin, estiinated tie fu- hikt hospitalization costs for those plaiatifix.to ba $BG,000 to. $100,900, Therefore, - the ‘awards of $80,000 to Me, .Bruner and: §100,000.to. Mr, Ben- joni were supported by the evidence. ‘However, the $80,000 aviarded to Mir, Weaver still exceeds ‘his proof:of fiiure spedical expenses (870,000 fox fone hospitalization oxpenses and $4,150 for med- foal monitoring, **), PNG, This amount was calculated by aul tiplying “the mextmum medtea) monitoring costs ($500) -times the plaintiff's Vif ex pootauigy (8.3 years), ‘There wasno testhniony on behalf of any of the-oth- ‘er ‘seven. personal ‘Injury “plaintif that thoy wero. ‘Tkely-to be hospitalized In the fiture-ns @ result. of their asbestos-related ‘disease. or. Injany, ‘The dane _, ages awarded these plaintiffs exeogds the proof-of " future-medical expenses: by a oninimun .of almost “$70,000, ‘Fheretere, the Court finds. the damnages awarded’far fttue medical expenses in the remain. ing. seven cases werd grossly excessive, a Likewise, the damages uwarded for pala aad suffering in_eneh of the personal injury actions was, erosive, “The Court is mindiul that demages ‘for pale end suffering generally: should be “eft to :the. soued discretion of-the jury” Dette vy. Sims, 279 Als, 516, 517, 187 Sod 548, $32 (1966). The jury's disoretlen Ja not unlimited, however, and may ‘be gorrested by ‘ihe -coust ““for-clear abyss. or yas siouate- exercise.” Ya Although rare, there are ke stances where. Alabama coarts have found damages awarded for pain and, affering to be excassive. . Eig, Consolidated Freizitways %, Pasheco-Riverd, 524 Bo.2d 346 (Ale1 988); CacaCola Bottling Co. », Pawker, 45] Sadd 786 (Ala.1984). © 2008 Thomson Routers"West. No Clairh to Orig, US Goy. Works, hitip:/Aveb2. weatlaw, com/print/printstreani.aspe?prli-HTMLB&destination~atp&eveSplit... 10/7/2008 i 1 | i785 F.Supp. 1465 785 F.Supp, 1448, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 13,285 OF course, there is ne precise formula for determin« ing when an nwerd for prin and suffering is excess ive. In malting this determination, the Court takes ~into..considerstion.the. testinonsmost-davorable-tg——nom— the plabitifis as to the nature and extent of the dam- ages" inflicted and general inowledge of verdicts awarded in this district for comparable injuries as well ay the court's own Imowlodge and experience, Paohteoo-Rivera, 524 80.24 at 352. {S]_ Hach plaintitie’ testimony regarding pain and. anffering wes remarkebly similar ood can be div vided into three malar categories: curtailment of aotivities due to shortness of breath, menial anguish for fear of caucer and, in a few cases, past or fiture pain aiid suffering duo to asbestos-related illnesses, Withent exception, the primery complaint. of each plaintiff was that he could no longer do the kind of thisgs around the house or yerd (or enguge in recre- ational activities) as he used to bacause of hls shori- ness of breath, Some complained that dieir sex lives. were affeoted, AN bat two of the plaintiiis are over the age of staty, suggesting that the aging provess itself would result in some curtailment of these activities, Several plaints suffer trom other M- nesses which also contribite"2453 to the Winite tions on thei activities. For example, Tulsle ‘Weaver is legally blind and suffers trom diabetes, John Wilson is partially paralyzed and cannot speak as the result of a car aucident, Joxeph Bruner suffers from chronie obstructive pulmonary disease, a smoking-related ines, heart problems and black~ outs, ail of which are nurelated to asbestos expos= te, Most of the plaintiffs had sermal pulmonary fimetion, and none of the plaintiffs wae detennined by auy medical testimony to have suffered any de- gree of permanent disability due ty shortness of breath, ‘The fear of cancer is, ih the Courts opinion, the most significant element of suffering in each of these casas. Such fear, however, must be reayonable and genuine and will, of course, vary with the indi- vidual. In other words, damages may be awarded only if a plaintiff does have a fear of canoer that Bage 7 of LI cabees mentd sngeish, not simply because plaintiff could bave a fear of canoer. In addition, Ht is only the mental anguish thet ix compensable, aot the probability-oi-contracting “cancer A~faw-plaintifisg such ae Mr, Broner and Mr, Wilton, prevented testi wnony that they suffered from periodis episodes of Supression due to their fear of contracting omoer. Although their depression resulting don the fear of cancer seenied worse than that af ofher plaintitis, neither Mx, Bruner nor Mr. Wilson required psychi- airls care, nor were they prevented ‘from . carrying os thelr daily activities, Most of the other plaintiff simply testified’ that they worried aboot the future and the possibility of getting. caucer, without giving any specific examples of how that fear has affected thom, At leant one plaintiff, Jesse Benjamin, did not testify at all concerning fear of cancer, Physical pabr and suffering sounet be considered an element of datnage for most of these plaititifis be- cause thers was no evidence offered that there is sny pain associated directly vith nsbestosis, Jesse Benjamin and Thomas Brown presented evidence’ of past physical pata and suffering because of thoy had bath suffered from canoer in the past, however, Dui had fully recovered fiom cancer operations, ‘The jury apparently recogntecd this injury and swerded them un additonal $250,000 in pain and suffering damoges. In addition, plaintitis: Boniamiy, James Weaver and Josoph Bruner presented teati- mony that their asbestos-related diseases had shown signs of progression which indicates the future Whe Tihood of painful complications, such as tung infec ‘Hons, Byen those itffs who prosonted the most com- polling testimony regerding pain and suffering would be adequately compensated with an award substuntially tess then the amount awarded by the Jury, For exemple, Mr, Bruner presented substantlal testitnony ox to al! clements of pain and. suffering, Unlike most plaintlits who were retired, Itt. Broner tostified that he bad been laid off work, bat had not boon called back because of his health probleme, most of which sre related to chronie obstructive © 2006 Thomson Reuterw/ West, No Clains to Orig, US Gov, Works. hitp://web2..westlaw.com/print/printstream,espx 2prft-HTMLBadestination=atpésv=Split,., 10/7/2008 Page &“785 P.Snpp. 1448 785 F.Supp, £448, ProeLieb Rep. (CH) P 15,285 pulmonary disease caused by smoking, At sixty- one, Bruner was one of the youngest plaintiffs. He gave compelling testimony regarding his fear, of canoer, .cepoctally.£n-light of -the-fact-that-he-tad children living at home. He presented medical evid- ence that hix disease was Ukely to progress and that ho was Ukely to suffer from Inag infections in the future, although the severity and duration of such infections depended to a great extent on how well plaintiff follows his treatment plan. Even in light of this evidence, half a million dollars in-compensatory damages for these injuries is exor bitant, Although the injury is permanent, ft & not permanently painful. Mr, Braner may experence pain associated with lug infections, bat the evid- ence clearly established that those infections are treatable and the pain will subside as the infection is cured, ‘Thus there is no chronic pain, Although Mr. Bruner has been required to curtail activities as @ result of shortness of breath, he {s aff able to function and. to camry on his daily sotivitios. Moreover, he was able, as were all other plalntifis, to sit through the ontire Sfteen day wlal, adhering to the Court's sometimes avduony trial schedule, Fear of cancer is extremely difficuit to value; however, it is just that, 5 fear. *1454 While plaintife’ angutsh- and fear is understandable and compensable, it does act appear overwhelming or debilitating, The exgessivenoss of these compensatory damage awards becomes oven inore apoerent when com: pared with jury awards ix other asbestos personal Injury cases tried in this district, The average com ponsatory damage award prior to fils tial was $169,100. ‘The largest amoumt of compersat ory damages ever awarded prior to this trial was $350,000,Fa@ FNS. It should be noted that thia figure in- cludes awerde in Aidgens v National Gypsum Co, No. 89-0772, in which nine personal injury actions were consolidated and tried before the Hon. Alex T. Howard, Chicf Aidge, immediately prior to the trial of these actions. Motions for new trials or Page 8 of 17 Page 7 remnittiiurs are ponding in those aoflons, If those actions are excluded, the sverige bs $86,291, FING. This award occured in Coleman », National Gyprum Co. ono of ning consol- idated cases described in footnote 5, [6] When confronted with: an excessive damage award the Court has several options, . Tf the passion, prejudice, caprice, undue. sympathy, arbitrarinens, or tare talnts only the damage ewerd and not the Habllity assessment, the proper response in @ xenittivur or a now trial. addressed to damaged alone. But, if it appews that the improper jury ao tion, in reasonable probability, uffzoted both the He ability and damages issues, thew a new frlal as to Goth issues otust be ordered, Edwards v. Secrs, Roebuck & Co, 312 F.2d 276, 282 (Sth Civ,1975), Edwards offers some guidance in determining whether the liability ag well as dam- ages issues were telnted. in thet case the appellate court found that a complete now trial was required because: (7) the Habilliy issue was closely con- tested, (2) connsél made intproper-ergumenty to the fury, @) the trial court found the award of damages to be grossly uxeessive, and (4) the jury wes swayed by passion and prejudice and fuilad to te- spond ts the tal.court's instructions, fa, at 283, Because most of the same fustors are present in this case, the Court finds that s new trial is necousary as fo all issues. First, liability was strongly contested in each, cage, including the wrongfil death saves, Defendants riot only contested the medioal causa. fion of each plabtiff's injuries but also contested an issue common to all plaingffs, stato of the art or ‘toreseeubility. Second, as discussed above, the compensatory damages in most cases were not only greatly disproportionate to the infuy in each of the personal injury cases but also unsupported by the evidence in many cases)" Finally, and as dis- cussed below, Jt appears that the consolidation of iofons was prejudicial and that the jury failed © 2008 Thomson Rentors/ West. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works, hitpi//web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?prft=WTMLEédestination=atpaesveSplit... 10/7/2008785 P.Supp, 1448 785 B.Supp. 1448, Prod.Lieb.Rop. (CCH) P 13,288 to follow the Court's instructions fo consider each case separately, analyze the ponitive damages under the framework sat forh in Grees O# y, Hornsty, 539 802d 218 (Al.1989) end Hammond vy Chiy of Gadsdan, af al, 493 So.2d 1374 (Ale1986} at tala time, The amount of compensatory damages alone ip ao excessive that when considered in light of the factors. enmmerated in Bdwards, leads the Court t conclade that the Habil- ity determinations, wot just the damage aerards were tainted, and must be set aside, Of course, if the Hability determinations fail so imist thé punitive damage awards, Likewise, it is unnecessary to separately andlyze tie Josa of conaortium claims sines such claima are based- pn derivative liabil- ity, See Mattison v. Kirk, 497 So2d 120 (Aln.1986). B. Consobdation [7] The prajudicial effect of the consolidation of thene actions is not only indicative that the Habiiity determinations were tainted but is also in itvelf a ground for granting the motlon for new tial, See Arnold v. Eastern Ale Lines, Ina, 112 20 899. (ath Cin}, cert denied 4s0 U.S. TLO2, 103 S.Ct 180, 76 L.Ed2d 366 (1983) and 46¢ U.S, 1040, 104 B.Ct, 708, 79 LEd2d 168 (1984) (New trial gren- ted due to prejudicial effect of consolidation of ao- tions agelast alclines and their bisurers), A. trial courts decision to cansolidate actions for trial will ‘be overtumed only if it amounts fo abuse of discre- tion, Heaarix y Rapbestos-Monhatian, TI6 Fad 1492 (11th Cir,.1985), The combination. of factors present in this instance lead the Court to the over whelining *1455 conclusion that the consolidation of theye agtions was unduly prejudicial. [8] This Court revognizes that conselidetion of as» estes cases for trial is common. See, agi, Johnson v, Cefotes Conp,, 899 Fad 1281 (2d Cir, 7990) acre ENF 7Rie--Court-—finda-lt-annecessary—to-—~-——-bastos-aeilons-for-trial-where-tho-plakitifie-had-sime—- Page 9 of LE Poge 8 (upholding the oongelidation of 4wo mabestos ag Hons} (and cases cited therein). In Hendpix, the Bl eventh Cisoult upheld the consolidation of four as ilar exposure and. work histories and eacit suffered from asbestosis, In. a decislon to consolidate the court musivonsider: [Whether the. spucific risks of profudics and pos- sible contusion fare] overborne by the risk of in consistent adjudication of common factual-and fag al issues, the burden on parties, witnesses and avails able Judicial resources posed by multiple lawsuits, the length of time required to conclude multipfe suits ay against @ single one, and. the relative ox. pense to all conoemed of the single-trial, multiple-tri- al alternatives, Hendrix, 716 F.2d af 1495 (quating Arnold vy Eavie era Air Lines, Inc, 681 F.2d 186, 193 (6th Cir.1982). Tho ital court “snuat algo bear in maid the extent to which the ricks of prejudice and con- fusion |. can be alleviated by ulilizing cautionary insiruotions to the jury during the trial and con- trolling the menatr in which the plaintifis claims .., are submiited to the jury for deliberation.” Jd, Xt is evident (unforumately, in hindsight) that des- pite. all the preeauilonery measures taken by the Court (2. juror notebooks, cautionary instructions before, during and after the presentation of evid- ence, special interrogatory forms) the joint tiat of such oa large number of differing cases both con- fosed and prejudiced the jury. This contusion aud prejadics Is manifest in the identical damages awar- ded in the non-cencer porsonal injury eases and in ‘the cancer personal injury cases, the relatively short deliberation time us well as in the inflated amounts of muy of the damage awards and the Jack of evid- anes supporting some of the damages in several cages, it appeuts that the jury simply Immped the personal injury plaintiffs into two categories gnd gave plaintifiy ia each category the same umount of com- ponsafory damages no meiter what thelr injuries. © 2008 ‘Thomson Routers/West. No Clatrn to Orig, US Gov, Works, hitp://veb2.westlaw.con/print/printstream aspx ?prit~ATMLE&destination=atp&sv=Split,,, 10/7/2008Page 10 of 1} 785 F.Supp. 1448 Page 9 785 F.Supp, 144%, Prod Liab,Rep, (CCH) P 13,285 . Two of the personal injury plaintifi, Thomas compensatory damages of $6,500, S1d1,353, Brown and Jesse Benjamin, had in the past suffered $128,558 and-$6,500, In MeDuffie, vt al v, Colotex, from cancer arid were diagnosed as sufferiig fom No, 87-541, the jury found in favor of the dofand- —~asbestosisy~ “Hack ~of-~those-~ plaintifis-recelved—~~---~- ants hr-eaclr ofthe four-casesr in-villen- vs Celoter;” $100,000 for future medicnl expenses and $750,000 No, 87-1039, in which three personal injury actions for pain arid suffering, were consolidated for tial jury awarded. $59,000_in . compeitsatory damages and $50,000 fh punitive The remaining personal injury plaintiffs ench demages to one plaintiff-but found fh favor of the presented testiniony that they suffered from asbes- defendanis inthe other two cases, In Cook y tos-rolated Img discasa of varying severity, Each Celotes, No, 87-807, the Jy awarded compensat- was awarded $80,000 for future medion! expenses ory damages of £90,000, $130,000, $125,000 and and $500,000 for pain and suffefing, It fs incon $125,000, reapectively, in the four cases oongolid- ceivable to the Court thet a properly functioning ated. toy trial, Finally, in Auceeny »% National jury could have awerded the sume amount in each Gypsum Co, No, $9-0772, Judge Howard consolid- case, Compare, for example,plaintifiy’ ovldencs as ated nine personal injury actions for trial. ‘The jury to Georgs Brown with Joseph Broner, whove injur awarded the folowing compensatory damages in ies are discussed above, Viewdug vie evidence iy cach case; $278,000, $325,000, $250,000 (2 oxses), the Hight most favorable to the plaintiff, Brown was $225,000 (4 cases}, and $350,000. Tp is also diagnosed with mild asbestosis, xways vevedled worthy ta note that al! of these trials invelved only mihi scarring conslstent with asbestosis, pulmonary function tests show ne impairment in Brown's lung, funotion, At age 59, George Brown at the time of trial was still working forty hours a weele ns a personal injury claims and, with the exception of the Hudgens gcowp, no more than four cases have been ted together. It appears, therefore, that when fewer cases are consolidated for trial, the fuy fs shipyard worker, an occupation which requires a ‘better able to consider the cases separately and yew good deat of physical stamina, By iis own physi + turn verdioty based on the facts of each cage, eian's testimony, his diseane is unlikely to progress and his life expectancy has not bem dimin'shed by FNS, As noted above, a motion for new tf fis disease, Hla major complaints aro that “when 1 al or yemittitur is pending in these actions, get home from werk Im worn out” end he cannot bunt and fish Jixe be need to and camet do things Further evidenes that the jory filled to consider wound the house like Le used to, These complaints ouoh case on itz own merit is the relatively short are hardly supristig-considering hie uge and work deliberation time in comparison with the length of. schedule, Brown also testified that he worries about ‘trial and the volumes of evidence presonted, After a the possibility of contracting cancer, fifteen day trial, the jury deliberated approximately six hows, During this time the jury was required to determine lability in each of thirteos cases, come , Ponsatory damages as to ton plaintiffs, loss of con- 4, comparison of the awards in these cases with awards in similar asbestos cases tried in this district also supports the conclusion that the fury falled to sortinm. ag to nihe plaintiffs, and punitive damages consider cach oate separately, Prior to the trial of ab to each defindant, the cused at band, five groups of asbestos cases had been consolidated. and ted to verdict in this dis- it is not this Court's opinion thet asbestos actions triof, Identical verdicls were the exception, rather can.never be consotiduted for trial, Rather, sotsol- than the ele in *1456 thee rapes, For exumple, in idation simply did not work im this instunes, The Foster, ef aly, Celotex, No, 87-0693 tn which four number of cases consolidated, the amount of avid- cies were consolidated for trial, the jury awarded ence fo be considered, the differing injuries in~ volved and the unique aspects of Alabama's. wrong- © 2008 Thomson Reuters West. No Claim to Orig, US Gov, Works, hitp:/veb2 wvestlaw.conyprint/printstream aspx ?prit4TMLESdestinationalpéesv=Split,.. 10/7/2008‘785 F.Supp, 1448 785 F.Supy. 1448, Prod Liab Rep. (CCH) P 13,285 ‘fal death statute al) contributed to make consolida- tion of these cases anworkeble, ~Aftor-considering-the- combination- of-theve-factors~~ the Court is compelled to grant defendants! motion for ney trials avto all actions, including the aetlone for wrongfal death. Plaintiffs had argued that even if a mew trial is granted as to the personal injury plaintiffs, the wrongfnl death verdicts should stand, Rolyiag on an argument iy defendants! brief, plaintiffs contend ‘bat, if anything, the wrongial death actions prejudiced the Jury's. devisious as to the personal injury aotions. This is pure specula- tion, When the prejudice results fram consolidation, the Couit is not ftes to conclude that the eter affected only sone cases and not others, [{f-one cannot shy, with fair assurance, after pon dering all that happened without stripping the ero~ neous sotion from the whole, thet the Judgment was not substantiatly swayed. by the orror, it is im possible to conclude that substontial rights were not atfeeted. ORear. v. Fryehauf Cop, 554 F.2d 1404, 1368 (Sth Ch.1977), Liability was strongly contested in aii of the wrongful death cases as It was in the por sonal injery cases, Beonuse wrongful dest dam- ages are punitive in nature, the prejudice is not ap- pareist from the face. of the verdicts themeelves, However, given the nature of the error aud preju~ dice in this instance the Court cannot oonshide that the Judgment in the wrongful death cases was not awayed by the error, CONCLUSION ‘The devision to grent new igdls has not been made jightly, The Cowt has epent many months review- ing the trial transcript, studying the applicable law and weighing the options available. This Court, when faced with the problem of nearly one hundred ponding asbestos cases on its docket, and more surely to come, mede a decision. The congestion Ey ope~neny resHy Our oat-ab-onetime”— approaching Page Li of 11 Page 0 ‘these vases caused fn this district for all clvil ftig- ants gives one a "1487 skewed view of holy te re solve the probiem. The great if they all, or most, settle; but when they doa, and they didn't here, thirteen. shipyard work- ers, their wives, or exsoutors if they have died, got a chance to do something oot many. other civil Hig ante van do-overwhelm a jury with evidence. Syid- ence that would not have been adinissible in any alngle -plaintifi's case -hed these oases been tried separately, As the evidence unfolded fm this case, it ‘became more and more obvious to this Court that a process had been unleashed that leit the jury the fmpossibls task of betng able to oarefilly sort out and distinguish the facts aad law of” thirteen plalatifis’ cases that varied greatly in so meny crit. ival aspects. ih the final apalysis, the Court is convinosd thet the defendants did not recelve a fair tral, Because the jury verdict was not only excessive but also tainted by prejudice, the Court 18 compelled to grant naw jrials in eaol; cage, . Acvordingly, tt is ORDERED that defendants’ mo- lon for new irials bs and heroby is GRANTED. tt is FURTHER ORDERED that defendants! motion jor judgment novyithstanding the verdictia DENIED. 5.D.Al 1992. Cain v. Armatrong World industries 785 F.Supp. 1448, Prod. Liab.Rep, (CCH) P 13,285 BND OF DOCUMENT © 2008 Thomson Reuters/West. No Claim to Orig. US Gov, Works. bttp:/Aweb2, weatlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?prit-HTMEa&kdestination=atpd&zev= Split... 10/7/2008‘Westlaw. ‘72 ¥.3d 1003 72. F.3d.1003, 33 Fo, R:Bery.34.79 United Statea Court of Appedls, Second Circuit, Jol: CONSORT! & Frances Consorti, Plalittfis- Appellses, ¥ ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC, formerly Inown as Ammotrong Cork Coy Cont. tion Engineering, Toc., et al, Defendants, Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corp, Defendant-Appsl- Jani, int “Nor BST pDoEkErD4-7501, Argued Nov. 14, 1994, Devided Aug, 28, 1995, Amended Dee, 22, 1995. Worker brought products Ilability action against manufacturer ‘of asbestos ploe-covering products, seeking damages for injuries suffered due fo expos are to asbestos, and gaye was consolidated with oth. er cosas. The United States Disiriet Court for the Southem Dishict of New ‘York, Robert W. Sweet, 3, entered judgment for plaintlf&, and defeodant appealed. The Court of Appeals, Loval, Cirenit Judge, held that: (1) plaintiff's wife could not matn- tain cause of action for loss of coasortion; (23 con- eolidation of cases did not cause such confision or prejudica as io warrant reversal, and (3) damage award of $12 milion for pala and suffering to plainttéf was material deviatlon from award deemed reasonable under Naw York law. Affirmed in part and yacated In part, ‘West Headnotes [1] Federal Courts 1708 Cxe8ia 170B Federal Courts TOBVIL Courte of Appeals I7OBYUIGK) Soope, Standards, ind Extent T7OBVILK)4 Discretion of Lower Court Page.2 of 18 Page | P V8BKEI2 kk, Aflowance of Remedy ~~ Consorth-ys damstrong World irtustriss Ingman Matters OF Preceding i” Garieral.” MUSE CIBgE CAR (IN N1995. Cases ‘When iesue for appellate, court is whether trial court's decision fo. consolidate, exceeded {ts disere« tion, question remains whether convalidation. caused such confusiog or prejudice aa to render jury ineapable of finding facts on. basis of evidence. [2] Federal Civil Provedure 270A O=08,1 170A Federal Civil Procedure. TOA In General LVAI(A) in General ” TOAK8 Consolidation of Actions VOALEE kK. In General. Most Cited Caves Federal Civil Procedure 170A C=21953, TIGA Federal Civil Procedure TIOAXY ‘rial TOAXV(A) ln General T70AK1953 k, Separate or Consolidated. ‘Trials of Different Actions, Most Cited Cases Consolidation. of products fiabllity actions that arose from. exposure to asbestos products did not prevent jury dom rendering verdicis based on eyid- ence as related to each independent claim and so sonsolidetion was proper; jury was provided with spoclelized notebooks with photograph of each plaintiff, avcempaniod by undisputed biographical information, jurors vere encouraged tw tule extens- ive nofes during trial, counsel used charts to belp fury distinguish among. plaintifit’ exposure histor jes, judge gave mumerovs cautionary and limiting instructions, and verdict forme guided jury step by step through vyarions issues it needed ta consider and resolve. {P] Federal Couris 1708 C=415 1708 Federat Courts TTORY | Stale Laws as Roles of Decision H70BYT(C) Application to Particular Matters © 2008 Thomson Reuters/ West, Nu Claim to Orig, US Gov, Works. hitp://web2.westlaw.cora/print/printstream. aspx?prir-HTMLR&destination=aipdesvSplit... 10/7/2008bttp:/web2. westlaw.cony/print/printstream aspx ?prit- HTML B&destination=atp&eveSplit, + 10/7/2008 ‘72, F.3d 1003 72 ¥.3d 1003, 33 Fed. R.Serv,3d 79 L7OBK415 k. Damages, Interest, Costs and Foss, Most Cited Cases Deterniining whether damage award for pain and ~suffering-is oxcensive-ty.iasye-of-substantive-rights,-~- and so is governed by state law, {4} Bederal Courts 1708 €-—372 170B Federal Courts [7OBVUL Courts of Appeals TRORVINGE) Scope, Standards, and Bxtent TIORVINGK)S Quostiona of Fact, Verdicts and Findings VHOBK870 Particular Issues and Ques ‘thons V7OBK872 1k. Inadequate and Ex~ cossive Damages, Most Chad Cases Under New York law, jury vardict may not excead fhat amount which would deviete materially from reasonable compensation, which requires reviewing court to determine range it regards as reasonable, end to determing whether partioular jury award de~ viatos materially fom that range, taking corrective action as it dows; “material deviation Gam reason- abieness fs less than that deviation requived fo find award so exowasive os to shock conscience, TY MeKcinney's. CPLR S501 (0), {5] Federal Courts 1708 Cay752. 1708 Federal Cowis TOBVITT Courts of Appeals TOBVILGK) Scope, Stardards, and Extent VTOBVITI(K)? tn General T70BK752 k. Matters ot Evidence Con- sidered. Most Cited Cases ‘Under New York law, om review of whether dam- ago award was excessive, Court of Appeals will Took to other jury awards condoned by courts of ‘New York, revognizing that New York appellate courts regard prior awarde as not binding bet in- atructive, |] Damages 115 127.11 115 Damages aatthoe t- SCA Gag enn Page 3 of 18 Page 2 JISVTL Argount Awarded: LSYIKB) Injuries to the Person TISKIZ7.1 4% Internal Injuries in Gener. Formerly TSr1320)) Damages of $12 millon awarded te ‘plaintiff in Products Iiabitity ection that arose from exposure to asbestos devieted materially from what ts deemed reasonable under New York law, and so warranted new irial on issue of darnages for pain and suffer. ing, unless plaintiffs accepted remittitur of award to 82,5 million; although plaintiff endured enormous suffering, pattern of prior similar cases reveatad that range of damage swards from approximately $1 miltion to maximurn of $3 mifiiot was deemed reasoitable under New York law, F7] Federal Civil Procedure (704 221973 110A Federal Civil Procedure \7OAXV Triak L70AXV(A} In Gsnoral + TP)AKI970 Counsel's Conduct and Arg ments THAKLIOTS kk. Btatements as to Facts, Comments and Arguments, Mast Cited Cases Counsel's specifying targer amounts for jury te award in damages is disfavored; such euggestions anchor jurors’ expectations af fair award at plave sat by counsel, rether ian by evidence, {8] Federal Civit Procedure 170A C1969 VI0A Federal Civil Procedure TIOAKV Trial . TTOAXV(A) In General TIOAKIZE k, Jndge’s Remarks nad Con. duct, Most Cited Cazos Judge's compliment of jury after jury returned Its ‘first verdict did not warrant mistrial on basis that Mis encouragement of jury was misunderstodd as endorsement of enerssity of ity verdict, since judge gave curative instruction after counsel objec- ted, {9} Federal Chit Procedure 170A €292537 © 2008 Thomson Reuters/ West, No Claim to Orig, US Gov, Works. | 5 §72 B38 1003 72 F.3d 1003, 35 Fed R.Sorv.3d 79 170A. Federal Civil Procedure YOAXYT New Trial TIGAXYIGB) Grounds Miscondnot of or Affecting. Most Cited Cases Juror’s mentioning during jury deliberations tint ‘ one non-parly defendant possessed $1 billion find fo pay nitomey fees to fight asbestos lidgatton’ cases did sot warrant new trial, in Bight of tril eoutt's finding that any well-informed cltken vould possesé general tuowledge about that defndant, and fact that report from juror was not prejudicial to defendants, [10] Evidence 187 Coo18t 157 Evidence 157¥ Best and Secondary Evidence . 1STKL8O Preliminaries to Admission of Sec- ondary Evidence AS7K181 kc In General, Most Citad Cases Asbestos manufacturer failed to introduce compu terized Hst, or make if available to court, or obun- sel, that wes used for summary evidence that com- panies hed purchrsed few asbeston-vontaining products tom asbestos manufacturer, end so sume mary evidence was not admissible in produsts Hab- fity action. against manufacturer that was based on harm fromexposnre to asbestos, ¥1004 Steve I, Phillips, New York City (Moshe Maimon, Robert 1, Komitor, Alani Golansid, Levy Phillips & Konigsherg, New ‘Yorls City, of wounsel), for Platotifis-Appotices. Wiliam. G, Ballas, Mew York City (M