A jury in Pennsylvania awarded a former boilermaker $3.8 million in a mesothelioma lawsuit against the engineering company Foster Wheeler.
According to the Altoona Mirror news publication, the victim Harry C. developed the rare and aggressive cancer mesothelioma. This disease is caused by exposure to asbestos.
The mesothelioma trial, which finished in September 2024, was held at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in the Pittsburgh area.
Boilermaker’s Mesothelioma Journey
Harry worked as a boilermaker for several decades and was an employee of Foster Wheeler for approximately 10 weeks. During his employment, he alleges exposure to asbestos.
Harry received mesothelioma treatment at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He underwent a type of mesothelioma surgery called extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
EPP surgery removes one of the lungs to eliminate tumors from the lung cavity. Pleural mesothelioma, the type of mesothelioma which Harry had, forms in the thin lining of the lungs and usually spreads to the lungs.
The average length of mesothelioma survival without treatment is less than one year. Successful removal of a lung with EPP surgery can give people 2-3 years of survival on average, but tiny cancer cells usually escape treatment, lay dormant in the patient’s body for a while, and eventually begin spreading again.
Why Foster Wheeler Corp. Was Ruled Responsible
Foster Wheeler Corp. is an international provider of engineering services, manufacturing boilers, and servicing boilers. The company merged with Amec plc in 2014 to form Amec Foster Wheeler. The resulting company was acquired by and merged into Wood Group in 2017.
Harry’s employment and asbestos exposure predates the mergers, which is why Foster Wheeler was the primary named defendant in the lawsuit. During the trial, Harry’s lawyers claimed employees worked at sites containing asbestos.
The jury found Foster Wheeler 100% responsible for Harry’s cancer due to neglecting proper safety for employees. Attorneys proved that Foster Wheeler failed to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations regarding working in sites containing asbestos.
In the mesothelioma verdict, Harry C. and his wife Rae received $2.3 million in compensatory damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages. Compensatory damages are awarded to the victim for harm caused. Punitive damages are punishment against the defendant in hopes of deterring future malicious acts by the defendant and other companies.
Boilermakers are one of the top professions for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer. Any boilermaker or loved one of a former boilermaker with this cancer can contact Mesothelioma Guide patient advocates for expert assistance in finding legal help. Email Carl Jewett at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com.
Sources & Author
- City couple win $3.8 million verdict for asbestos exposure. Altoona Mirror. Retrieved from: https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2024/10/city-couple-win-4m-verdict-over-exposure-to-asbestos/. Accessed: 10/10/2024.
Sources & Author
