$34.2M Verdict Against John Crane in Oregon Shipyard Case
Portland jury awards $34.2M to shipyard worker for mesothelioma caused by John Crane asbestos gaskets. Internal docs showed company knew risks.
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: 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.
References
Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP. Portland Jury Holds John Crane Inc. Liable in $34.2M Mesothelioma Verdict for Shipyard Worker.
https://dobslegal.com/2025/09/09/portland-jury-holds-john-crane-inc-liable-in-34-2m-mesothelioma-verdict-for-shipyard-worker/
BusinessWire. Dean Omar Branham Shirley Recognized Twice Among ALM's 2024 Top 100 Verdicts.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250520223599/en/Dean-Omar-Branham-Shirley-Recognized-Twice-Among-ALMs-2024-Top-100-Verdicts
Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP. DOBS News and Verdicts.
https://dobslegal.com/news/
Oregon Judicial Department. Oregon eCourt Case Information - Multnomah County.
https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/pages/ojcin.aspx
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
What are asbestos gaskets?
Asbestos gaskets were sealing products used in industrial equipment, particularly marine engines and piping systems. John Crane manufactured gaskets and packing materials containing asbestos, which workers cut, shaped, and installed in shipyards and industrial facilities. The process released microscopic asbestos fibers.
How much was the John Crane Portland verdict?
The jury awarded $34.2 million to Richard Long, including $33 million in non-economic damages. This followed a mistrial earlier in 2025 and is the largest Oregon verdict against John Crane to date.
What is biphasic mesothelioma?
Biphasic mesothelioma contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types. It accounts for roughly 20 to 35% of mesothelioma cases. The prognosis depends on the ratio of cell types, with more sarcomatoid features generally indicating a more aggressive disease course.
Can shipyard workers still file mesothelioma claims?
Yes. Because mesothelioma can develop 20 to 50 years after exposure, many people who worked in shipyards during the 1960s through 1980s are now being diagnosed. In Oregon, the statute of limitations begins at diagnosis, allowing workers to pursue legal claims against manufacturers of asbestos products they used on the job.
What famous person died from mesothelioma?
Steve McQueen, a prominent actor known for films like The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven, died from pleural mesothelioma in 1980 at age 50. His exposure is linked to U.S. Marine service, shipyard work, and possible movie set insulation. Other celebrities who died from mesothelioma include musician Warren Zevon (2003), actor Ed Lauter (2013), and NFL player Merlin Olsen. Paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived peritoneal mesothelioma for 20 years before dying from unrelated lung cancer in 2002.
Can I sue for being exposed to asbestos?
People with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer or asbestosis, can pursue lawsuits against companies that manufactured, supplied, or installed asbestos products if they provide medical documentation of the diagnosis and evidence of exposure history. Claims may also be filed through asbestos bankruptcy trusts established by over 100 companies, often on a sliding scale based on disease severity, or as individual lawsuits requiring proof of negligence. A diagnosis is typically required, as exposure alone does not qualify for personal injury compensation. Statutes of limitations vary by state and often start upon diagnosis. Secondhand exposure, such as from family members’ work clothes, has supported successful claims.
Can I claim compensation for asbestos exposure?
People with asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation through multiple pathways. To qualify, you must have a diagnosed condition such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or ovarian cancer, and be able to document your asbestos exposure. Compensation can be pursued through personal injury lawsuits against manufacturers, asbestos bankruptcy trust fund claims, wrongful death claims, or VA benefits if you are a veteran. Family members exposed to asbestos secondhand (such as through contaminated work clothing) may also file claims. Many people with asbestos-related diseases receive compensation within 90 days or less through trust funds, though lawsuits typically take 12 to 18 months. An attorney can review your work and medical history to determine which claims you qualify for and identify all responsible companies.
How much money do you get from asbestos?
Asbestos trust fund payouts for people with mesothelioma range from $7,000 to $1.2 million per trust, with a median scheduled value of $180,000 and an average individual trust payout of about $41,000, according to the RAND Institute for Civil Justice. Claimants filing with multiple trusts typically receive $300,000 to $400,000 total [2,4,5]. Asbestos lawsuit settlements average $1 million to $2 million for mesothelioma [3,9], while payouts vary by disease severity, exposure history, occupation, age, and each trust’s payment percentage [1,2]. Approximately 60 asbestos trust funds hold $30 billion for claims as of January 2025.