 Amount: $12 million To: Charles H. Cundiff, now 65, who was a machinist’s mate in the U.S. Navy and worked on the USS Kitty Hawk full-time from 1962 to 1966, cleaning and repairing machines in the engine rooms. He was exposed to massive amounts of asbestos particles and developed mesothelioma. Plaintiff’s Lawyer: Gary Paul, Marc Willick and Jillian Rice of Waters Kraus & Paul Defense Lawyer: Robert Nelder of Hassard Bonnington for John Crane; Allan Gutsche and Jessica Stepp of Jackson & Wallace for Lone Star; and Patrick Becherer and Constance Fraenkel of Becherer Kannet for M. Slayen Judge: Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maureen Duffy-Lewis The Case: Cundiff was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2008. He sued several manufacturers and suppliers that outfitted the Kitty Hawk’s engine room for defective product design and a failure to warn. The defendants included Lone Star, which supplied insulating cement; John Crane, which makes packing and gaskets; and insulation contractor M. Slayen & Associates. Other manufacturers and suppliers settled. The jury found Lone Star 19 percent liable, John Crane 5 percent and no liability for Slayen. Need to Know: The net verdict to Cundiff is $3.1 million. The jury did not award punitive damages. Page: 1 of 1 pages for this article
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