A Virginia jury awarded $3.45 million in a mesothelioma lawsuit to plaintiff Patricia Katcham, who claimed her husband James Katcham was exposed to asbestos while working at a plant in DuPont Spruance, Virginia.
Mr. Katcham’s exposure to asbestos led to a cancer diagnosis of mesothelioma, which resulted in his death. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and asbestos exposure is the only cause of the disease.
Allegations of Asbestos Exposure Against John Crane, Inc.
Prior to his death, Mr. Katcham testified that he regularly worked with gaskets and packing on valves and pumps produced by the lawsuit defendant, John Crane, Inc. He described using hammers, hand scrapers and power wire brushes during the installation and removal of these products while employed as a millwright at the Dupont plant.
Lawyers for the victim argued that John Crane was negligent in not warning about the potential asbestos exposure from their gaskets and packaging products. They also claimed John Crane was selling unreasonably dangerous products without providing adequate warnings.
Industrial Trades and Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma cases such as these underscore the significant risks of asbestos exposure in industrial trades. Millwrights such as Mr. Katcham frequently worked with asbestos-containing products, one being gaskets.
Gaskets made in the 20th century contained asbestos. Working with gaskets often required cutting and grinding them to a certain size.
Using hammers to shape and install gaskets could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air, putting those working with the gasket and others nearby at risk for exposure. Removing old gaskets presents a similar risk, as they are often stuck in place and need to be ground out or scraped with a wire brush, which also disturbs asbestos and releases sharp fibers into the air.
These airborne fibers pose significant health risks, as they can be easily inhaled or swallowed by workers. The fibers get trapped and stuck in tissue linings, which can lead to cancer as tissue cells mutate.
How Mesothelioma Guide Can Help People With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Guide understands the life-altering impact asbestos exposure has on those affected. We are dedicated to holding those responsible accountable and helping you pursue the justice you deserve. This justice includes receiving mesothelioma compensation from companies that were responsible for their workers safety and knowingly put them in harm’s way.
Anyone who worked with gaskets as a millwright or another industrial job in the past was likely exposed to asbestos. If you or a loved one worked with gaskets or another asbestos-containing product and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma later in life, our team is here to help.
Contact patient advocate Carl Jewett at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com to ask questions or for help finding a legal expert. Mesothelioma Guide has resources to aid people affected by asbestos exposure and asbestos diseases.
Sources & Author
- Virginia Jury Awards $3.45 Million In Millwright Mesothelioma Case. JD Supra. Retrieved from: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/virginia-jury-awards-3-45-million-in-7020195/. Accessed 11/23/2024.
Sources & Author
