More than five years after filing an asbestos cancer lawsuit on behalf of her deceased husband, a New York woman has finally received justice on his behalf after the defendants in the case agreed to settle the matter. The resolution to the mesothelioma cancer lawsuit came after three days of jury selection in a St. Lawrence County Court. Opening arguments were slated to begin the day of the settlement.
According to the mesothelioma lawsuit, the victim worked at Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. in Star Lake and at Gouverneur, New York and developed his disease after years of exposure to asbestos contained in talc products distributed by the defendants. The defendants included R.T. Vanderbilt Co. Inc. which operates a minerals division manufacturing facility in Gouverneur, and Newton Falls LLC.
The lawsuit accused R.T. Vanderbilt Co and other defendants of knowingly engaging in the sale and distribution of minerals that were contaminated with asbestos, a flaky white mineral that is directly linked to causing mesothelioma. Although rare, mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that commonly affects the thin linings of tissue surrounding vital organs like the lungs and abdominal cavity.
According to reports, R.T. Vanderbilt has twice been ordered by courts in New York state to pay damages in lawsuits related to its talc and mineral operations. In 2015, the New York state supreme court in Schenectady ordered R.T. Vanderbilt to pay $10.55 in compensatory damages for the asbestos contaminated talc it produced from mines in Gouverneur.
The jury in the 2015 lawsuit against R.T. Vanderbilt handed down the judgement after a three-week trial in which representatives of the plaintiff’s estate argued that the victim succumbed to mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos contaminated products manufactured by the defendant. The plaintiff in that case was only 52 years old when he passed away.
While R.T. Vanderbilt admitted no liability by settling the case before a jury could reach its verdict, the outcome is nonetheless significant for the victim’s estate and his widow who brought her own claims for damages due to the death of her husband. Although we expect wrongdoers to accept responsibility for their actions and compensate victims for the harm caused, many defendants would rather deny, delay, and defend otherwise meritorious claims.
Fortunately, the law gives mesothelioma cancer victims and their families the right to hire experienced asbestos cancer lawyers to represent their legal interest and seek justice. Mesothelioma patients are encouraged to contact an attorney at their earliest convenience to see if they may be eligible for compensation for their lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.