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A team of Lewis Brisbois attorneys were able to prove that Dexter Hysol Aerospace LLC, a staffing services company, was not at fault for the death of a former employee. Managing partner Scott Masterson, partner Florence McClain, and associate Ashley Waller convinced a Los Angeles County jury that Velma Searcy, an electrical technician from 1982 to 1987, did not contract malignant mesothelioma as the result of occupational asbestos exposure.

The plaintiffs, the four children of Velma Searcy, filed suit against Dexter Hysol and numerous others for wrongful death, negligence, strict products liability, and punitive damages. Dexter Hysol was the only defendant remaining at the time of trial.

The plaintiffs alleged that Searcy, 51, developed malignant mesothelioma as the result of occupational and childhood asbestos exposure, including to Dexter Hysol aerospace adhesives during her career as an electrical technician in the aerospace industry from 1982 to 1987.

Dexter Hysol presented evidence that Searcy did not have mesothelioma or any asbestos-related disease. Dexter Hysol also contended that Searcy was not exposed to asbestos from its products because its aerospace adhesives were not present at Searcy’s workplaces as alleged.

The plaintiffs requested the jury award $21.6 million for the wrongful death of Searcy and punitive damages for the alleged malicious conduct of the defendant. The jury deliberated for less than three hours and returned a verdict on Oct. 31 in favor of Dexter Hysol, finding that the decedent did not have an asbestos-related disease.

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