It is always heartbreaking to hear about a worker being diagnosed with mesothelioma. After so many years of loyal service to an employer, their hard work is ultimately paid back not with a pension or early retirement, but with a painful death sentence.
Job Risks
Recently, a Philadelphia jury awarded the family of Edward Merwitz $7.25 million in damages after he passed away from mesothelioma. Merwitz was exposed to asbestos in his work as a ship fitter in the 1960’s – a peak time (and trade) for asbestos use in the United States. Shipbuilders and repairers have been some of those most affected by asbestos at the workplace, and many have won mesothelioma cases in the courtroom.
Job Correlations
There are a lot of defendants in asbestos cases that deny any correlation between their product or job site and the plaintiff’s illness. In the case of Mr. Merwitz, the jury dismissed all of the defendant’s defenses. The jury found RSCC Wire & Cable (formerly known as Rockbestos Surprenant Cable Corporation), Buffalo Pumps, Westinghouse, Blackmer Pumps, General Electric Company, Greene Tweed & Company, Square D Company, and Warren Pumps LLC liable for substantially contributing to Merwitz’s asbestos-related disease.
Mr. Merwitz was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January of 2010. His family filed the lawsuit on his behalf in November of 2010, before their statute of limitations had expired. In some states, the victim or family could have as little as one year following diagnosis to file a mesothelioma claim.
If you or a loved one have worked in or around a shipyard at any time in your life, you are encouraged to alert your doctor to the possibility of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Upon finding out that you have an asbestos-related disease, do not hesitate to file a claim against those responsible for your exposure.
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Contact us to find an experienced mesothelioma attorney to help you do this and receive the maximum compensation for you and your family.
