Munitions Company Loses Appeal to Undo $64 Million Jury Verdict

Missiles and explosives manufacturer Whittaker Corp. is on the hook for millions in damages and cleanup costs after the Ninth Circuit rejected its argument that a lower court abused its discretion.

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Monday affirmed a jury award of $64 million against Whittaker after California’s Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency accused the company of groundwater contamination. The company had argued on appeal that the agency didn’t prove that groundwater treatment facilities were a good measure of damages.

“After carefully reviewing the record, we hold that none of Whittaker’s arguments are availing, and ...