Liability awards and settlements

16.5, asbestos award

US: a Ramsey County, Minnesota jury has awarded $8mn to former Koch refinery worker Joseph Akin and his family, whose attorneys argued that his exposure to asbestos at the Rosemount refinery caused him to develop mesothelioma, a rare cancer almost always associated with asbestos. Attorneys said the award is the largest in a Minnesota asbestos case and it is one of the largest verdicts ever awarded in Ramsey County. The jury found that API of St Paul negligently sold asbestos products to the Koch refinery without adequate warnings, and that its actions caused Mr Akin’s health problems. In a first phase of the trial that ended last week, the jury awarded $4mn to Mr Akin, of Rosemount, for past and future damages as a result of his cancer, and $4mn to wife Dorothy Akin for past and future loss of companionship. Jurors also awarded Mr Akin $50,880 for past medical costs. Jurors found API was 60% responsible for his injuries. It found Koch and Hickory Insulation, now out of business, each 20% responsible.