Articles Posted in October, 2016

Asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma do not usually manifest themselves right away. Most of the time, it can take years before the signs and symptoms of serious illnesses alert asbestos exposure victims to the harm they have suffered. With such a long passage of time between asbestos exposure and developing mesothelioma, victims may be unsure of the legal timeframes they have to file claims and seek compensation.

One recent case highlights exactly why victims and their families need to take immediate action when someone they love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another serious asbestos-related condition. While times can be trying after a mesothelioma diagnosis, victims are strongly advised to contact an experienced, nationwide mesothelioma lawyer about their case as soon as possible.

The victim in this case was an 84-year-old Washington man who worked at a paper pulp factory for many years after his discharge from the Navy. The victim passed away in 2010 due to complications from the mesothelioma he developed from asbestos exposure while at the pulp and paper mill.

An Arizona Appeals Court ruled that parties are not liable for the harm their asbestos products cause to others in secondhand or “take-home” asbestos exposure. The case centered around a decedent whose surviving heirs claim the victim passed away due to secondhand exposure of asbestos brought home by the victim’s father. The mesothelioma victim’s father worked for Arizona-based Reynolds Metals Co. in Maricopa County during the 1950’s and was frequently exposed to asbestos fibers on work clothes, inside automobiles, and general surroundings.

Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that defendant owed a duty to refrain from creating dangerous or otherwise hazardous conditions on its property, which could cause harm to others off site. Courts in other states have found that plaintiffs were harmed because their parent worked in proximity to asbestos and the defendants owed them a duty not to place them at risk.

The plaintiff argued citing other state courts that property owners owe “a general duty to refrain from engaging in affirmative acts that a reasonable person should recognize as involving an unreasonable risk of causing an invasion of an interest of another, or acts which involve an unreasonable risk of harm to another.”

A group of plaintiffs recently filed a federal lawsuit against an asbestos litigation trust set up by their former employer to recover millions in unpaid claims they allege the administrators are squandering. In addition to this suit, the asbestos litigation trust set up to disperse compensation to victims also faces hundreds of other claims over allegations that workers at a Texas-based plant were exposed to asbestos for decades.

The case began in 2000 when the defendants, Tyler Pipe and Swan Transportation, lost a pair of multimillion dollar asbestos exposure lawsuits which ultimately bankrupted the companies. As is common with these types of cases, bankruptcy courts required the defendants to set up a trust fund for these and other victims exposed to dangerous industrial conditions while working at the plant.

Victims Still Waiting for Asbestos Exposure Compensation

September 26 recently marked National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation created the occasion to bring nationwide awareness of the issues facing mesothelioma patients and their families. Additionally, the event is a terrific way for mesothelioma cancer charities across the country to fundraise for important research that one day may find a cure for the disease.

National Mesothelioma Awareness day is recognized by the House of Representatives and the Senate as well as many state and local governments. Furthermore, events related to the day have raised over one million dollars to benefit various causes related to research and support for victims.

The day is extremely important for the 2,000 to 3,000 victims diagnosed every year with mesothelioma and their families. While the aggressive disease is relatively unknown by most people throughout the country, those who struggle with mesothelioma know all too well the toll it takes on ordinary folks.