A recent Nevada jury verdict saw an electrician afflicted with malignant mesothelioma and his family awarded $15.6 million in compensation. The victim in this case worked in commercial, industrial, and residential settings for more than 50 years. Over the course of those 50 years, the mesothelioma victim maintained controllers and motor starters manufactured by Eaton/Cutler-Hammer. After the victim was diagnosed with mesothelioma, he filed product liability lawsuits against several defendants, including Eaton Corporation.
The Nevada jury listened to the testimony about how the victim worked with asbestos-contaminated arc shields and plastic molded housings during the trial. The testimony went about to describe how sanding, manipulating, and filing the arc shields and plastic-molded housings for the controllers and motor starters resulted in asbestos fibers becoming airborne. Because of the airborne asbestos fibers, the mesothelioma victim breathed in asbestos fibers over the many years that he worked with those parts. Unfortunately, those fibers got stuck in the cells of his pleural lining. Eventually, those cells died and mutated into malignant tumors.
In an effort to defend itself, Eaton Corporation used expert witness testimony. Eaton's legal representatives used expert witness testimony to raise questions about their products' role in the plaintiff's illness. However, despite their efforts, the trial team managed to successfully challenge the majority of Eaton's expert witness testimony. Also, the jury agreed with the plaintiff's attorneys who said that Eaton failed in their duty to inform the mesothelioma victim of the potential dangers of the asbestos content in the products he was dealing with on a regular basis. According to the plaintiff attorneys, Eaton knew about the asbestos content in the products, yet the company decided not to share that crucial information with the victim. Because of not sharing that important information, the electrician could not take precautions to protect himself from asbestos exposure. Eaton was found responsible for the plaintiff's illness, and the August 12 verdict totaled $15.6 million.
Of all the asbestos-related illnesses, mesothelioma is the most serious. Unfortunately, until today, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. Also, mesothelioma treatment can be costly. It is important to note that treatment costs are not limited to only the type of treatment. Mesothelioma treatment costs can also include required travel, accommodations, and much more. Some mesothelioma patients spend tens of thousands while others spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, those exposed to asbestos can recover damages for mesothelioma. Generally, for a victim suing under a negligence theory to obtain compensation, they need to prove that the defendant's negligence directly led to their illness and that they suffered actual losses. So, when it comes to a mesothelioma case, a plaintiff needs to show that they fell victim to asbestos exposure due to another party's negligence.
Please note that it is important for a potential mesothelioma plaintiff to act quickly after learning about a diagnosis. If the statute of limitations expires on a case, an individual may not be able to recover damages.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office thttps://www.arizonamesotheliomaattorney.com/contact-us.htmlo speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.
