Recent Defense Verdict in Long Beach, California for DeHay & Elliston client, Dana Companies, LLC

DeHay & Elliston, acting as national coordinating counsel for Dana Companies, LLC (“Dana”), worked closely with local and trial counsel, to successfully obtain a defense verdict for Dana Companies, LLC in Schildnegt v. Dana Companies, LLC, et al.  The case was tried in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California before the Honorable Patrick T. Madden. 

Nicolaas Schildneght, a living meosthelioma plaintiff, claimed at trial that his pleural mesothelioma was caused by his exposure to asbestos while working as a pipefitter.   Dana and only one defendant remained as defendants at the time of the verdict.  At trial, the Plaintiff claimed that he was exposed when he worked with flange gasket material manufactured by Dana.  Defendants argued that any work with or around gasket materials did not cause or contribute to his mesothelioma.  Rather, Plaintiff’s exposure to amphibole containing insulation products was the cause of his mesothelioma. 

On January 17, 2014, after a trial that spanned over two months, the jury deliberated for approximately a half a day and returned a verdict in favor of both defendants.   The jury determined that the Plaintiff was not exposed to asbestos fibers released from a product manufactured, distributed, or sold by either defendant.