Family Wins Asbestos Case
On September 21, 2009 a Hamilton County, Tennessee jury returned a record $1.4 million dollar verdict against National Service Industries, doing business as North Brothers. The trial was believed to be only the second asbestos trial in the state of Tennessee over the past15 years. The verdict is believed to be the first asbestos verdict rendered against North Brothers in any state.
The case officially titled Marian H. Jackson, individually and as surviving spouse of Kenneth W. Jackson v. Breeding Insulation Company, Inc. et al., Hamilton County Circuit Court, Division 1, case no. 07C936 was tried over the course of seven days. The jury of twelve then deliberated for nearly two days before reaching its unanimous decision. All of the other defendants in the case except for North Brothers either settled with the plaintiff or else were dismissed prior to the trial.
Mr. Wayne Jackson worked as a pipefitter at Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga from 1952-1986. During that time he was continually exposed to asbestos-containing products, some of which were manufactured or sold by North Brothers.
The jury found that North Brothers sold defective products to Combustion Engineering that Mr. Jackson was exposed to North Brothers’ products, and that North Brothers’ products caused or contributed to Mr. Jackson’s development of mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that is uniquely associated with asbestos exposure).
