California Court Orders New Asbestos Trial After ‘Fatally Inconsistent’ Verdict

Mealey's (September 3, 2024, 3:12 PM EDT) -- LOS ANGELES — A jury verdict finding an asbestos stucco company liable for design defect under two separate theories but not apportioning it any liability for a man’s mesothelioma is a “fatally inconsistent” result that requires a new trial on the strict product liability design defect theory and liability, a California appeals court said in an unpublished Aug. 30 opinion, otherwise affirming the verdict....