$34.2M Verdict Against John Crane in Oregon Shipyard Case

A Portland, Oregon jury has awarded $34.2 million to a retired shipyard worker whose mesothelioma was caused by John Crane Inc. asbestos gaskets and packing products. The September 5, 2025 verdict holds the manufacturer liable for failing to warn workers about asbestos dangers it knew about for decades.

Richard D. Long, 71, worked at the Dillingham shipyard on Swan Island from 1972 to 1985. As a member of Laborers Union Local 296, he assisted machinists in engine rooms where he regularly handled John Crane gaskets and packing materials that contained asbestos.

The Retrial Verdict

This was Long’s second trial against John Crane. A first trial earlier in 2025 ended in a mistrial after four days of jury deliberation. The retrial concluded with a significantly larger award.

The jury found that John Crane’s products were defective, that Long’s exposure was a substantial factor in causing his cancer, and that the company failed to provide adequate warnings.

Of the total verdict, $33 million was awarded for non-economic damages, reflecting the severity of Long’s illness and its impact on his life.

What the Evidence Showed

Trial evidence revealed that John Crane had knowledge of asbestos health risks dating back to the 1930s. By the early 1970s, when Long began working at the Dillingham shipyard, the company had confirmed through internal research that its products posed a cancer risk.

Despite this knowledge, John Crane conducted no meaningful safety testing on its gaskets and packing materials. Material safety data sheets acknowledged the presence of asbestos but were not shared with the workers who handled these products daily.

The company did not add warnings to its products until 1983, near the end of Long’s employment at the shipyard. By then, he had already accumulated 11 years of regular exposure.

Attorneys Mark Linder and Lenny Sandoval of Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP presented testimony from six expert witnesses, including Dr. Arnold Brody, Dr. Allan Smith, Dr. Steven Haber, Dr. Steven Compton, industrial hygienist Jerome Spear, and Dr. Barry Castleman. Their testimony connected Long’s workplace exposure to his 2023 diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Impact

Long was diagnosed in January 2023 with biphasic pleural mesothelioma, a mixed-cell subtype that combines epithelioid and sarcomatoid features. Biphasic mesothelioma generally carries a worse prognosis than pure epithelioid disease.

Before his diagnosis, Long was an active outdoorsman who had planned for a retirement spent with his partner, Peggy. The median survival for people with biphasic mesothelioma is less than 18 months, and the five-year survival rate is below 10%.

Pattern of John Crane Verdicts in Oregon

The Long verdict continues a pattern of significant Oregon jury awards against John Crane:

• $5 million (2017): Robert and Bonnie Sprague case, including $3 million in punitive damages
• $10 million (2025): Earlier judgment, currently on appeal following a mistrial
• $34.2 million (2025): The Long case, the largest Oregon verdict against the company

Nationally, John Crane has faced mesothelioma verdicts exceeding $9 million in Virginia and more than $40 million in Illinois, reflecting ongoing liability from decades of asbestos-containing product sales.

What Happens Next

John Crane may appeal the verdict, consistent with its approach in prior Oregon cases. The company has appealed the earlier $10 million judgment, and appellate proceedings in both cases could take one to two years.

For shipyard workers and industrial laborers who handled gaskets, packing, and insulation products during the 1960s through 1980s, cases like Long’s demonstrate that courts continue to hold manufacturers accountable. Oregon’s statute of limitations for asbestos cases begins when a person is diagnosed, giving people with mesothelioma time to pursue claims.