Mesothelioma Law Blog

Recent reports claim that the family of a man who recently passed away from mesothelioma is suing his former employers for wrongful exposure to the toxic substance known as asbestos. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure and often leads to death since no cure has been found yet. 
 
Asbestos Lawsuit Details
 
Brian Harrison was 71 when he was suddenly diagnosed with mesothelioma last December. It was just a few moths later that passed away, in April 2009. Mesothelioma is unique due to the fact that it can go undetected for up to twenty years and often, once doctors diagnose the illness, patients have little time remaining to live. 
 
As a result of his untimely death and battle with cancer, Harrison’s family has filed a asbestos exposure lawsuit against Moores Furniture Group. Harrison was reportedly employed for Moore for many years and worked as a store manager.
 
The lawsuit claims that he was wrongfully exposed to asbestos dust during renovations at the Moores locations at which he worked. Reports state that during these renovations workers removed lagging from pipes, which could have released millions of microscopic fibers into the air. As a result, Harrison and his co-workers could have inhaled asbestos fibers.
 
The victim’s family also claims in the mesothelioma lawsuit that Harrison, was never given a respirator or protective clothing while he worked to remove of the asbestos-laden lagging. He was also never warned about the risks of asbestos exposure.
 
The plaintiff’s hope to be compensated for his suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the sudden loss of their much loved family member.

A Florida attorney recently held a meeting to address the Jackson-Madision County School Board regarding investigating the asbestos issues he believes to be plaguing local schools.

The attorney, Richard Fields, claims that asbestos, a harmful substance known to cause deadly cancers like mesothelioma, is present in over a dozen of the school system’s buildings.

“This is your first warning,” stated Fields, who is representing several plaintiffs in a desegregation lawsuit against the Jackson school board. “We’re going to investigate more. Every person that has been exposed to asbestos will be tested for any kind of lung disease. (If they have asbestosis) we’re going to sue you. Each lawsuit will cost you $300,000.”

Attorneys Tour Schools Exposed to Asbestos

Fields and other attorneys recently toured Jackson Central-Merry High School to help determine the condition of its facilities. They did so as a step toward coming to some sort of resolution about the issue of student assignment under the desegregation agreement. During their time at the school, Fields reportedly requested to see JCM’s basement, also known as its fall-out shelter. He claims that at the bottom of the staircase, there is a warning sign that hangs from the ceiling advising that there is a potential risk of asbestos in the area.

Fields told the board that they must address the issue as soon as possible or suffer the repercussions. “You’ve got to get rid of the asbestos, and at JCM you may have an entirely contaminated school,” he told them. “I think the school board should hire a national expert and have every school tested.” Fields announced in the meeting that he fears the school, and others in the same condition, has never been tested for asbestos or other contaminants. With support from fellow attorneys and parents of the students who attend these schools, Fields is calling for immediate action in the cases involving asbestos exposure.

A lawsuit was recently filed by a widow who lost her husband to a battle with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The suit, which was filed in Jefferson County District Court, claims it was the fault of the man’s former employer that he developed the illness. The plaintiff claims several companies exposed her husband to asbestos-containing products and due to his premature death and her loss, she should be compensated.

Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma

Willie Mae Denson filed the suit on behalf of her husband, Elijah Denson Sr. The mesothelioma lawsuit claims the companies Elijah was employed for in the years prior to his death are to blame for his illness. Seven companies have been named in the suit for their negligence. Elijah Denson Sr. reportedly worked for many different companies during his career as a laborer, furnace worker, and carpenter. During his employment he was reportedly exposed to the toxic substance known as asbestos that has, in recent years, been banned in the United States due to its harmful effects.

According to the lawsuit, the companies failed to tell Elijah about the risks associated with asbestos. The suit also states that even after the dangers of asbestos were made public, the companies continued to produced asbestos-containing products. Among the defendants named in the suit are A.O. Smith Corp., Babcock Borsig Power, CBS Corp., and Cleaver Brooks.

Before his death, Denson reportedly experienced a great deal of physical pain, mental anguish and also suffered from a physical impairment. As a result, both he and his wife incurred a burden of medical costs as well. The asbestos lawsuit seeks unspecified actual and exemplary damages, costs for pre- and post judgment interest.

A lawsuit was recently filed by a man who claims he suffers from mesothelioma as the result of his exposure to asbestos. The man formerly worked as a pipefitter, welder, and pipeliner. During his career, he believes he was unknowingly exposed to asbestos and other harmful chemicals. As a result of his exposure to asbestos, he developed a rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma. The illness often goes undetected for many years and researchers have yet to find a cure for the fatal disease. The man has named 36 companies as defendants in the case. Among the defendants are Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Pfizer, and Viacom.

Workplace Exposure

Tommy Harnell was reportedly diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer this past July. Harnell attributes his illness to the fact that he was exposed to the toxic substance, asbestos, during 1957. Harnell and his wife filed the suit in August claiming his former employers failed to warn him of the risks linked to asbestos. Harnell also claims his former employers did nothing to implement any sort of safety plan for their workers to prevent them from being exposed to the substance.

Harnell says he was completely unaware of the dangers he faced on a daily basis at his job. In the lawsuit, him and his wife claim he now suffers from a great deal of physical pain and mental anguish due to the increase in medical expenses and decline of his health. Harnell’s wife also says she has suffered from a loss of companionship. The Harnell’s are seeking unspecified general, special, punitive, and exemplary damages in the lawsuit.

A couple in Illinois was recently awarded $2 million in a settlement after filing suit for asbestos exposure in the workplace. The husband claimed he developed mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos while working at various jobs for three decades.

As a result of his exposure, the man reportedly developed pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma that affects the lining of the chest and is centralized in the pleural cavity. As with other forms of mesothelioma, this cancer is mainly caused inhaling or consuming asbestos fibers. The disease often has no symptoms and someone who develops it can live with the illness without knowing for 20 years or more. By the time pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is often too late for anything to be done and it typically results in death.

Lawsuit Details

William Willis, 69, worked several part-time jobs as a handyman. During this time, he also worked nightshifts as an employee of the Postal Service. The lawsuit named a variety of defendants and claimed they each played a part in his illness. Willis and his wife stated in the lawsuit that at each job he worked with products such as pipes and joint compounds that contained asbestos. However, there were no warning signs on any of them about the risks of asbestos.

After a trial that lasted nearly a month, the jury held Bondex International, Inc., the makers of a joint compound that contains asbestos responsible for Willis’ illness. Willis was awarded $1.5 million in damages and his wife was awarded $500,000 for emotional stress and loss of companionship.