Hammond v. North American Asbestos Corp.

Plaintiff, the wife of an asbestos worker who contracted asbestosis, sued defendant, North American Asbestos Corporation, for loss of consortium on theories of strict liability and wilful and wanton negligence. Judgment was entered on the jury’s verdict awarding plaintiff $125,000 in compensatory and $375,000 in punitive damages, and defendant appeals.

Plaintiff’s husband, Charles Hammond, was employed by Union Asbestos and Rubber Company (UNARCO) from 1953 until 1971. During this time Hammond contracted respiratory diseases and asbestosis, which is a chronic, degenerative condition caused by…