This month, a jury in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware returned a defense verdict for an MG+M client, John Crane Inc. The decedent in the case, Icom Evans, alleged that he developed mesothelioma as a result of working with asbestos containing products while serving aboard U.S. Navy ships and through home automotive work. The case involved claims under maritime law for strict liability, negligence, and punitive damages. The trial lasted less than four full days. The jury returned a defense verdict after less than 40 minutes of deliberation. While John Crane's trial team presented several defenses, including the government contractor defense, the jury ultimately concluded that the plaintiff had not met her prima facie burden of establishing that John Crane had any role in causing Mr. Evan's mesothelioma.
MG+M partner Amaryah Bocchino managed John Crane's defense from the outset of the case through trial. John Crane's trial team included trial lawyers Katherine Binns of Binns Law Firm PLLC, Eric Reeves and Brian Schneider of Moran Reeves & Conn, Tim Hurley of Nelson Mullins, and multiple MG+M personnel. In addition to the lawyers and staff inside the courtroom, MG+M fielded an effective and nimble trial support team led by MG+M partner Jason Cincilla. The trial support team provided real-time assistance on various choice of law, Delaware law, and maritime law issues that arose during the trial, assisted in shaping jury instructions and the verdict form, and drafted motions for judgment as a matter of law on multiple legal issues.
In addition to the attorneys noted above, MG+M would like to recognize the hard work of, and thank, Ryan Browning, Bill Larson, Tye Bell, Chris Doherty, Chris Baughman, and the entire staff of MG+M's Delaware office for their invaluable contributions to this great success.
Johanna Elaine Evans, Individually, and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Icom Henry Evans, Deceased, and on Behalf of All Wrongful Death Beneficiaries v. John Crane Inc., United States District Court for the District of Delaware, C.A. No. 15-681 (MN).