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Mar 17 2007 A San Francisco jury returned a verdict of over $868,000 in favor of the
family of a drywall taper who died of asbestoses and asbestos pleural disease.
In a products liability trial against a former manufacturer and supplier of
asbestos-containing joint compound, spray texture, and acoustical ceiling spray,
the jury decided that defendant Rich-Tex, Inc.'s products containing asbestos
were defectively designed and assessed $368,787.64 in economic damages and
$500,000 in non-economic damages.
Douglas Ivance was a drywall taper throughout his career in the San Francisco
Bay Area for 47 years. He died on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003, from
respiratory failure caused by asbestos. Also, he had severe pleural disease
connected to asbestos.
Plaintiffs presented evidence at trial to prove that when used as intended,
Rich-Tex, Inc.'s asbestos-containing products had to be mixed, applied, sanding,
and cleaned up. All these released mortal asbestos dust.
The asbestos-containing drywall products that Mr. Ivance worked with include
joint compound, spray texture and acoustical ceiling spray. Rich-Tex, Inc. was a
manufacturer and supplier of asbestos-containing drywall products, including
joint compound, spray texture and acoustical ceiling spray. They were based in
Richmond, California. Majority of Mr. Ivance's employers during the time period
1963 to 1977 were supplied asbestos-containing drywall products by Rich-Tex,
Inc.
The jury's decision was immensely appreciated by the counsel for the Ivance
family. The trial started on 16th Jan 2007.
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