fbpx

Behshid v. Bondex International et. al.

Case Facts – Jury Trial

Case Summary

A 71-year-old Ph.D. and former banker remodeled 12-15 personal and investment homes during the 1960-70s. He worked with joint compound, inhaling the asbestos dust produced during mixing/sanding. The product contained no warnings; he did not wear protective gear. Diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in December 2004, he was too ill to testify or be deposed. Family members who helped him with the remodels testified instead.

Verdict

June 22, 2006
$12.6M award for economic damages
$12.0M to plaintiff for pain and suffering
$ 0.6M to plaintiff for medical expenses
20% liability assessed to Bondex
Jury not allowed to consider punitive damages

Significance

Plaintiff was not a laborer by trade
Jurors accepted the testimony of family members alone as evidence of product ID

Case Information

Behshid v. Bondex International et. al.
Cause No. BC343104
Trial length 13 days Deliberation 1.5 days

Jurisdiction

Los Angeles County, Calif., Superior Court
Hon. Ricardo A. Torres, presiding

Plaintiff’s Experts

Arnold Brody, M.D., cell biologist, Tulane Univ.
Edwin Holstein, M.D., occupational medicine, Environmental Health Associates, P.A.
Robert Cameron, M.D., thoracic surgeon, UCLA

Defense Experts

William Hughson, corporate industrial hygienist

Plaintiff’s Counsel

Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, LLP (Los Angeles)
C. Andrew Waters
Gary M. Paul
Michael L. Armitage
Dimitri N. Nichols

Defense Counsel

Walsworth, Franklin, Bevins & McCall, LLP
Stephen M. Nichols (lead for Bondex)
Karen P. Agelson (lead for Dowman)
Eileen Spadoni (Dowman)

Case Facts – Appeal

Ruling

August 11, 2008
Original judgment upheld; opinion by Aldrich, J; Croskey, Acting P.J., and Kitching, J., concurred.
Bondex International, Inc.’s Petition to appeal is still pending in California Supreme Court

Case Information

Behshid v. Bondex International et. al.
Cause No. B194789

Jurisdiction

Court of Appeal of State of California, Second Appellate District, Division Three

Plaintiff/Respondent’s Counsel

Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, LLP
Paul C. Cook
Michael B. Gurien

Defense/Appellant Counsel (Bondex)

Walsworth, Franklin, Bevins & McCall, LLP
Stephen M. Nichols
Eileen Spadoni

Horvits & Levy
Curt Cutting
Julie L.Woods

Disclaimer – Results obtained depend on the facts of each case. Award amounts are not actual cash amounts received by plaintiffs. Deductions are made for liens, attorney fees and expenses.

What are my chances?

That’s the first question everyone asks. The truth is it’s impossible to know. But we can tell you this. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has what it takes to fight against big corporate interests and win. That’s why we’ve taken more mesothelioma trials to verdict than any other firm. And that’s why we’ve recovered more than $1.3 billion for clients like you. Do you think you have a case? Contact us now to speak with an attorney.

Call 800.226.9880