A jury in Connecticut awarded approximately $20 million in a mesothelioma verdict to the widow and family of a deceased patient. It is reportedly the largest asbestos and mesothelioma verdict in Connecticut state history.
The mesothelioma lawsuit involved two defendant companies: DAP, Inc., and Vanderbilt Minerals. Each was around half liable in the case. The verdict is for compensatory damages, which are awarded to the victim for cost of treatment, quality of life loss, pain and suffering, and more. Punitive damages, which are punishment to the defendant(s), may come later and add to the verdict.
Window Glazing and Asbestos
According to the website Insurance Journal, which reported the mesothelioma verdict last week, the victim worked at the Stillwater Worsted Mill in East Woodstock, Connecticut. He scraped and removed dried glazing from window frames while helping replace windows. The victim passed away in 2020 – 18 months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer – and his diagnosis is linked to working with window glaze in the 1960s.
The website said the victim worked with DAP “33” window glazing. The glazing allegedly contained chrysotile asbestos and asbestos-contaminated talc. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos fibers piercing into the lining of the lungs or abdomen, and both chrysotile asbestos and asbestos in talc can cause this disease.
According to Insurance Journal, DAP manufactures caulk, sealants, adhesives and other products. Vanderbilt Minerals supplies minerals and chemicals to DAP.
Asbestos Manufacturing and Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Asbestos manufacturing companies have faced mesothelioma lawsuits for decades due to their malicious acts to put workers and other U.S. residents in danger. Many companies knew asbestos was dangerous – and could cause cancer – yet kept this knowledge hidden from workers and continued to include the mineral in building parts such as window glazing.
Asbestos was too valuable in their opinion to stop using due to its cheap, durable and fire-resistant qualities.
Companies used asbestos to make adhesives, sealants, caulks, paint, insulation, siding, floor tiles, electrical sockets, home appliances, roof shingles and more parts of homes, offices and other buildings. Construction workers, insulation workers, electricians, plumbers and more were at risk of daily occupational asbestos exposure.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer and have not learned how you were exposed to asbestos, please contact Mesothelioma Guide. Email one of our patient advocates, Carl Jewett, at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com to find out how you can learn more about your history of exposure to asbestos.
Sources & Author
- Connecticut Jury Awards $20M in Worker’s Death From Asbestos Exposure. Insurance Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2023/03/15/712146.htm. Accessed: 03/16/2023.
Sources & Author
