A Connecticut jury wasted no time in deciding that two companies were responsible for the mesothelioma death of John Peckham, a temporary worker exposed to asbestos in their products sixty years earlier. Mr. Peckham died 18 months after his diagnosis with the rare, asbestos-related disease, and the jury ordered the companies to pay his survivors $20 million in compensatory damages. They will soon decide on whether to award punitive damages as well.
Mesothelioma Death Blamed on Asbestos in Window Glazing
The two companies that faced justice in the Peckham family’s mesothelioma lawsuit were DAP, Inc., the manufacturer of caulk, sealant, adhesives, and other window repair products, and Vanderbilt Minerals, which supplies minerals and chemicals to a variety of industries. The family pointed to the asbestos-contaminated DAP “33” window glazing that Mr. Peckham was tasked with scraping and removing from window frames in the early 1960s when working at the Stillwater Worsted Mill as the cause of his illness and death.
The Peckham’s mesothelioma lawsuit was not the first time that either of the companies has been asked to defend their management of asbestos in the products. The jury was shown more than 250 pieces of evidence, much of it pointing to them having been aware of the dangers of asbestos and choosing not to warn the public or provide any kind of protection for those using or exposed to the substance.
Each Defendant to Pay 50% of the $20 Million Damages Award
After hearing seven weeks of complex testimony, the jury determined that the mesothelioma victim’s family was owed $20 million in compensatory damages, with each company assessed 50% of the award. The jury will now consider whether to award additional compensation in the form of punitive damages meant to punish egregiously bad or negligent behavior.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
