Court: Washington Superior Court, Pierce County
A Washington state court in April awarded $16 million to the estate of decedent Steven Korzerke after a default judgment was entered against defendant Asbestos Corp. LTD, a Canada-based asbestos mining company.
Decedent worked at a Washington state paper facility for two summers where he was purportedly exposed to asbestos-containing insulation on boilers, pipes, and pulp digesting machines. These machines were dismantled for repair and maintenance in his presence. Decedent’s father also worked at the same facility for several decades, including during decedent’s childhood, and purportedly wore his work clothing home.
Decedent, whose father passed from mesothelioma, developed lung cancer and passed at the age of 67.
Decedent’s widow ultimately sued Asbestos Corp. under strict liability and negligent failure-to-warn theories. Asbestos Corp. did not participate in discoveryin this matter.
The trial court entered a default judgment against Asbestos Corp. and awarded $16 million to decedent’s estate, including $7.5. million to decedent’s widow for loss of consortium.
Read the full decision here.
