The family of a former engineer who passed away from mesothelioma received a $40.75 million verdict from a jury in Cook County, Illinois. The verdict was awarded in August and announced via a press release on various websites.
The deceased, Bruce T., was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2018 after experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma. He was a 77-year-old retired engineer living with his wife in Morro Bay, California.
The victim served in the U.S. Army and worked for more than 40 years as a laborer, engineer and salesperson in oil refinery and industrial machinery. He passed away in 2019 after he filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against John Crane and began the legal process. Bruce testified in court that he was exposed to dust from asbestos-containing gaskets and packing made by John Crane.
The case finally proceeded to trial in August when the victim’s family received restitution. The $40.75 million verdict includes $30 million for the victim’s death and suffering and $10.75 million in damages for the surviving family members.
Cook County in Illinois is often the site for mesothelioma lawsuits.
More About Mesothelioma
Around 2,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, making it one of the rarer cancers. The average survival is around one year, which means it is one of the more aggressive types of cancer. Mesothelioma begins in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity. The cancer can quickly spread to nearby organs, such as the lungs, intestines and liver.
The only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, and most victims are exposed by working directly with the mineral in mines or in close proximity to asbestos-containing products and materials in various occupations. Asbestos is durable and capable of resisting fire, which made it an appealing addition to construction, insulation and electrical work.
While asbestos is safe when it’s intact, it can be disturbed and break apart, which causes loose fibers to float in the air. These sharp fibers can collect in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity and cause cells to mutate, which leads to mesothelioma.
Asbestos in Oil Refinery and Industrial Machinery
Oil refineries require a combination of high temperatures and corrosive chemicals, which presents a risk of overheating appliances or an accidental fire. Asbestos was an insulant for the refineries and different appliances used inside the work settings.
Asbestos was also an insulant in workers’ protective clothing as a protective element. Unfortunately, this put workers, such as the victim in this legal case, in close contact with the cancerous mineral. This type of asbestos exposure is called occupational asbestos exposure, which is a common cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos was also an insulant for industrial machinery used in other work settings. Any machinery that produced heat could benefit from sturdy asbestos mixtures. Gaskets, which were the victim’s source of exposure, are one part of the machinery often coated with asbestos dust from the grinding process.
If you have mesothelioma and are interested in learning more about your legal options, contact our team. Carl Jewett, one of our patient advocates, is available by email at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com.
Sources & Author
- Chicago Jury Awards $40 Million in Mesothelioma Case Against John Crane, Inc. Fox2now. Retrieved from: https://fox2now.com/business/press-releases/cision/20230906LA00777/chicago-jury-awards-40-million-in-mesothelioma-case-against-john-crane-inc/. Accessed: 01/11/2024.
Sources & Author
