California Jury Returns Defense Verdict In Man’s Suit Over Micronite Cigarette Filter

SAN FRANCISCO—A California jury Jan. 19 returned a defense verdict for Lorillard Tobacco Co., rejecting a man’s claims that asbestos-containing filters on Kent brand cigarettes caused his mesothelioma (Cox v. Asbestos Corp.).

Jurors in the California Superior Court in Los Angeles deliberated for less than a day to clear Lorillard, Rheem Manufacturing Co., Hollingsworth & Vose Co., and Dowman Products Inc. of liability. Hollingsworth & Vose manufactures filter papers used on the cigarettes. Rheem makes furnaces and indoor air products, and Dowman manufactured drywall joint compounds that contained asbestos.

Jurors found that Robert J. Cox smoked Kent cigarettes ...