Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
This week, a New York Supreme Court judge jury awarded $12.5 million to the families of several workers who developed cancer after they were exposed to asbestos-containing materials. The victory at the end of the four month trial provides a sense of relief to the family of three New York tradesmen after watching their loved ones lose their battle the notoriously brutal disease. Though asbestos is carefully monitored and outlawed now, not much was known about the dangerous material commonly used for fireproofing and insulation when it was widely used until it was banned in 1989.
Since then, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the correlation between exposure to asbestos-containing materials and the rare cancer known as Mesothelioma. A study about early detection of the illness published in PLoS One, a respected science journal, states that, “…mesothelioma is an aggressive, asbestos-related pulmonary cancer that is increasing in incidence. Because diagnosis is difficult and the disease is relatively rare, most patients present at a clinically advanced stage where possibility of cure is minimal.” The disease has a vicious reputation as being extremely painful and difficult to treat. Because the illness attacks the lungs, air flow is disrupted and the patient is most often reduced to the confines of his or her bedroom as loved ones look on helplessly.
Harry Brown, a member of the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 12 Union, was exposed to the material in the 1950s and 1960s while working for ConEdison. The jury found the energy company 30% at fault for his condition and awarded his family $3.5 million. Another New Yorker, a steamfitter named Patrick McCloskey, was exposed to asbestos fireproofing when he was working on the construction of the original World Trade Center. The Nation Trail Lawyers report that, “Mario & DiBono, the company that applied the asbestos spray, was found 25 percent responsible and held to have acted with reckless disregard for the safety of those working at the site. McCloskey’s estate was awarded $6 million.” The third man named in the lawsuit was Carl Terry, an electrician whose family was awarded $3 million.
Mesothelioma is a ruthless illness that robs its victims of their quality of life. The pain is only amplified by the fact that it is completely preventable. Thousands of people were exposed to the toxic substance, completely unaware of the damage done to their bodies. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma as result of asbestos exposure, we can help. At the Greater Boston Law Firm of Altman & Altman, LLP, our dedicated team of Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorneys has successfully handled Mesothelioma cases for decades. While no amount of money will ever compensate for your injuries, the hard-working victims of this horrible disease and their families may be entitled to financial relief through a Personal Injury or a Wrongful Death Lawsuit. Our experiences attorneys will carefully walk you through each step of the process. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and get you the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
Bodine, Larry. The National Trial Lawyers. “Families of NY Asbestos Workers Awarded $12.5M in Mesothelioma Case.” March 19, 2014 Ostroff, Rachel M. PLoS One. “Early Detection of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in Asbestos-Exposed Individuals with a Noninvasive Proteomics-Based Surveillance Tool” October 3, 2012.
