Jury: Pentair must pay $193M for cruise-ship outbreak

A jury has ordered Pentair Inc. to pay $193 million to a cruise line for commercial damages in a 1994 case involving an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease. The case is against a Pentair subsidiary, Essef Corp., which Pentair acquired in 1999, after the event occurred. Golden Valley-based Pentair (NYSE: PNR), makes water pumps, valves and equipment. In a response, Pentair officials said the jury’s decision is not consistent with the law and plans to contest the decision.