The family of a retired Navy sailor who died of cancer triggered by asbestos fibers he inhaled on the job decades ago has won $1.2 million in its lawsuit against a ship-parts manufacturer.
Gerald Gray died in April after suffering from mesothelioma. His death, at age 75, came five weeks before the trial was to begin against John Crane Inc., an Illinois maker of gaskets and other parts used on ships Gray repaired.
The Newport News Circuit Court jury ruled against five manufacturers for a total of $4 million, assigning a percentage of blame to each. John Crane fought the case, and was apportioned 30 percent, or $1.2 million.