Yesterday, a $10 million verdict against Ford Motor Company was overturned in Texas.

Carolyn Miller died at age 54 from mesothelioma; she was exposed to asbestos fibers that clung to her father's clothing when he returned from work. He was employed by Ford on and off for over a decade, where he worked directly with asbestos. In 2001, Carolyn, her father, and her husband were awarded $10 million in damages from Ford. Now, an appellate court ruled that because Carolyn never entered Ford property, the company is not responsible for her asbestos exposure. They court also revoked Carolyn's father's award, claiming that he "only might" develop cancer.

In overturning the decision, this appellate court is doing a significant injustice to a family whose daughter unexpectedly and suddenly died as a direct result of asbestos exposure. It is likely that Carolyn's father will experience health complications caused by the asbestos, and revoking his settlement will substantially limit his medical treatment options. Companies should be ready to take full responsibility for overlooking the dangers of asbestos and failing to use safe substitutes. To read the full story, click here.

Doctor Stephen E. Guilder of Plantation, Florida, received nearly $24.2 million in a suit against Honeywell regarding asbestos exposure.  Guilder was diagnosed in September with the rare form of mesothelioma that forms in the abdominal lining: peritoneal mesothelioma.  The verdict is Florida's largest  asbestos settlement involving a single defendant.

Guilder claims that Honeywell knew of the dangers related to asbestos but produced no warning to its employees.  Guilder worked with Honeywell's asbestos brakes in the 1970s and early '80s.

"I am very pleased that the jury held Honeywell accountable for the devastating harms it caused Dr. Guilder and his family,'' said his attorney, David A. Jagolinzer, in a statement. Guilder has been married for more than 20 years and has three children, ages 18, 16 and 14.

Chemical maker W.R. Grace & Co. said this morning that it would settle thousands of asbestos-related personal injury claims spanning decades.

The settlement includes $250 million that would be put in a trust. It also includes deferred payments of $110 million per year for five years beginning in 2019 and $100 million per year for ten years beginning in 2024.

Grace filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001 to protect itself from 135,000 asbestos-related claims spanning decades.