NEW HAVEN, CT -- According to a report in the Connecticut Post on May 23, 2012, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) was ordered to pay $2.4 to the family of Hannibal "Scottie" Saldibar, who died of mesothelioma, a form of cancer connected to asbestos contact. The verdict came on Tuesday, May 22, when a Superior Court jury found TCNA guilty of developing asbestos-containing mortar, which was used by Saldibar who had been a tilesetter for 30 years. In addition to $1.6 million in compensatory damages, TCNA is also required to pay Saldibar's family $800,000 in punitive damages.

It should be noted that court documents indicate Saldibar had significant exposure to asbestos through his time in the Navy and various years when he installed asbestos insulation in boilers. Of the original 55 defendants, all except TCNA settled or were dismissed before the trial began.

Eric Astrachan, the Executive Director of TCNA, stated that he was "surprised and disappointed" by the jury's decisionto hold it responsible for a product it never made. TCNA has asked the Connecticut Court to set aside the jury's verdict. TCNA is a non-profit trade association responsible for the development of national and international standards. It is not a product manufacturer or distributor.