After decades of working with a variety of asbestos-contaminated products, Richard Daciw was diagnosed with asbestosis. He and his wife Winifred filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the damages he suffered, and after hearing testimony about extensive negligence on the part of multiple manufacturers, a Philadelphia jury has awarded the couple $25 million in damages.
Asbestosis and Malignant Mesothelioma Both Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Like malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis is a debilitating disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Though asbestosis is not a terminal disease, it has a dramatic impact on quality of life. This devastating impact represented a significant amount of the testimony that was presented to the Philadelphia jury before they made their decision about the damages to be awarded to the elderly couple.
In addition to learning about the disease itself, the jury heard the details of Mr. Daciw’s exposure to asbestos over the years. They heard that the Navy veteran had worked as a fireman and shipfitter from 1965 to 1969, that he had then moved on to a job as a maintenance mechanic at Jeffries Processors from 1969 to 1972 and to working as a pipefitter at Domino Sugar from 1972 to 1983. Finally, he moved on to working at SmithKline from 1983 to 2004. He was exposed to products containing asbestos but provided with no warning about its dangers.
Expert Witness Testifies About Asbestos’ Role in Asbestosis and Mesothelioma
An occupational medicine expert testified as to how exposure to asbestos-contaminated pumps, valves, boilers, turbines, cement, packing, and gaskets had caused countless instances of malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis, while Mr. Daciw’s physicians provided additional testimony about the impact of his disease on him and his wife.
By the end of the trial, the jury had heard about twenty different named defendants, many of whom have been named in previous lawsuits filed by victims of mesothelioma and asbestosis. They assessed liability against eight, but only directed a percentage apportionment to John Crane, Inc. The company will have to pay the victim $15 million and his wife $10 million for her loss of consortium.
Exposure to asbestos robs people of their health, and in the case of mesothelioma, it robs them of their lives. For information on how the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help you get justice, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
