Defense Verdict in Ohio Mesothelioma Trial

April 5, 2019 (Cleveland, OH) – Claire Weglarz of Hawkins Parnell & Young and Stephen Daniels and Sandra Sommers of McMahon DeGulis secured a defense verdict in a personal injury mesothelioma case pending in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Their client, a sealing product manufacturer, was the only remaining defendant at trial. The trial lasted two weeks.

Plaintiffs Ralph W. Sivert, Jr. and Sandra Sivert alleged that Mr. Sivert’s regular work with the client’s asbestos-containing gasket and packing products at Dayton Power & Light powerhouses in the late-1970s and 1980s caused his mesothelioma. In closing arguments, plaintiffs’ counsel asked the jury to award upwards of $15 million in damages. After two hours of deliberation, the jury found that his work with these products did not cause his mesothelioma.

Plaintiffs were represented by Ethan Horn and Aaron Chapman of Dean Omar Branham.

Plaintiffs called the following expert witnesses: Arnold Brody, Ph.D. (cell biology), Edwin Holstein, M.D. (occupation medicine) and Steven Compton, Ph.D. (materials science).

Defense experts were James Crapo, M.D. (pulmonology), Michael Graham, M.D. (pathology), John Henshaw, M.P.H, C.I.H. (industrial hygiene), and Amy Madl, Ph.D. (inhalation toxicology).

Ralph W. Sivert, Jr. and Sandra Sivert, vs. Air & Liquid Systems., et al., Case No. CV888488 (Ohio Ct. Comm. Pls., Cuyahoga Cty.).