Asbestos Widow Awarded $5.5 Million

The widow of a former shipyard worker who died of mesothelioma last November was awarded $5.5 million in damages on Wednesday by a Newport News jury.

Vaughn Oney worked as a machinist for aircraft carriers at the Newport News Shipbuilding for 31 years beginning in 1963. His work required him to handle asbestos gaskets and sealants.

Kay Oney, his high school sweetheart and wife of 43 years, said she watched him struggle from the time he was diagnosed with mesothelioma until the time he died—a total of two years.

“He needed an incredible amount of narcotics to endure the pain every day. It was intractable pain, pain so high that narcotics can’t control it. The last six weeks of his life he was in horrific condition,” said Robert Hatten, attorney for Oney.

The jury deliberated for two days before handing down a $9.25 million dollar verdict against two asbestos manufacturers—John Crane Inc. and Garlock Inc. According to the jury’s findings, Crane was responsible for 60 percent of the damages and Garlock 40 percent.

However, Garlock had previously reached an out-of-court settlement agreement with Oney.

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