Dean Omar Branham Shirley: ‘John Crane’s corporate decisions deprived him of that life’

A Portland jury has awarded $34.2 million to 71-year-old Richard Long, a former shipyard laborer who developed mesothelioma after years of working with asbestos-containing gaskets and packing sold by John Crane.

Mr. Long worked at the Dillingham ship repair yard on Swan Island from 1972 to 1985, assisting machinists and tradesmen in the engine rooms of commercial vessels. A proud member of Laborers Union Local 296, he regularly worked with John Crane’s asbestos gaskets and packing, which exposed him to the deadly fibers.

At trial, Mark Linder and Lenny Sandoval, attorneys from Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, presented evidence showing John Crane should have known of the dangers of asbestos exposure as early as the 1930s and had actual knowledge of the deadly nature of its products by the early 1970s, but never did any meaningful testing. Evidence included internal company documents and material safety data sheets acknowledging the cancer risk posed by asbestos in its products that it never shared with end users like Mr. Long.

“John Crane’s corporate representative admitted that John Crane was responsible for producing a safe product yet continued to contend that the company’s asbestos products were safe,” said Mr. Long’s attorney Mr. Linder. “The jury’s verdict reinforces the fundamental principle that companies must warn of their product’s hazards.”

John Crane eventually gave asbestos warnings in 1983, too late for Mr. Long.

The verdict follows a retrial of the case, which was first tried earlier this summer and ended in a June mistrial after four days of jury deliberation.

Mr. Long was diagnosed in 2023 with biphasic pleural mesothelioma, an incurable cancer.

“Rick was enjoying his retirement as the ultimate outdoorsman with his partner Peggy,” said attorney Mr. Sandoval. “John Crane’s corporate decisions deprived him of that life. This verdict recognizes the severity of Mr. Long’s pain, suffering, and loss. We are grateful to the jury for its careful consideration.”

Plaintiff expert witnesses for the trial included Dr. Arnold Brody, Dr. Allan Smith, Dr. Steven Haber, Dr. Steven Compton, Jerome Spear, CIH and Dr. Barry Castleman.

The trial team also included Devin Robinson from the law offices of Devin Robinson P.C.

The case is Richard D. Long v. 3M Company et al., in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Multnomah, Case No. 23CV27457.

About Dean Omar Branham Shirley

Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of the irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit http://www.dobslegal.com.

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“John Crane’s corporate decisions deprived him of that life. This verdict recognizes the severity of Mr. Long’s pain, suffering, and loss. We are grateful to the jury for its careful consideration.”