Defendants Ordered to Pay Plaintiff $7.25 Million in Wrongful Death Action Involving Exposure to Asbestos

The jury awarded a plaintiff in an asbestos lawsuit $7.25 million in his case against RSCC Wire & Cable. The lawsuit was filed by the family of a shipbuilder that died due to mesothelioma. The family was won survival damages and wrongful death damages.

Asbestos is used in many products, including insulation. The fibers have been linked to asbestosis and mesothelioma. These diseases may not appear for years after exposure. Presently, there is no cure for either asbestosis or mesothelioma.

The known dangers of asbestos exposure have led to the implementation of rules and regulations for how the fibers should be handled. There are also protective steps for employees that must be taken, and a limit on how much exposure to asbestos is allowed. If an employer fails to follow these precautions, federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may take disciplinary action.

A number of lawsuits have been filed against companies that claim employees and their families suffered improper exposure to asbestos. These lawsuits also allege that the employees were not warned of the risks associated with exposure to the fibers, and were not provided with adequate protective gear.