HPY Secures Major Defense Verdict in Los Angeles Pleural Mesothelioma Case

April 4, 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) – Hawkins Parnell & Young’s client, a manufacturer of brake linings, received a defense verdict in one of the most challenging friction cases the firm has seen in 38 years of asbestos litigation. With no alternative exposure, Plaintiff alleged her late husband developed pleural mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure from HPY's client's products while he was working in a brake and clutch remanufacturing plant, Ace Brake Supply, in Los Angeles beginning in the mid-1950s. Decedent alleged to have worked on the assembly line at Ace Brake Supply that affixed exclusively our client's brake linings that they purchased in bulk from our client. Decedent alleged that he stood at the grinding station on the assembly line, grinding up to 500 brakes per day, 8-hours per day, 5 ½ days per week. Although Plaintiffs initially sued over 20 defendants, only HPY's client remained at trial.  

Macy Chan and Michael Giaquinto of the Los Angeles office tried the case for HPY's client.  The Hon. H. Chester Horn presided over the trial in Santa Monica. At the end of closing argument, Plaintiff's counsel (Gary Paul of Waters, Kraus & Paul) asked the jury to award $7.5 million in compensatory damages.  

HPY's experts included Dr. Michael Graham, John Henshaw, CIH and Dr. David Garabrant.  Plaintiff's experts included Dr. Arnold Brody, Dr. Carl Brodkin, William Ewing and Dr. Murray Finkelstein. 

Hiroko Felton, Individually and as successor in interest to the estate of Donald L. Felton, Deceased, v. Davison-Conroy, Inc., et al.