A cruise ship worker’s survivors believe it was the asbestos-contaminated gloves he wore that eventually caused his malignant mesothelioma, and in their quest for justice they included the gloves’ manufacturer in the personal injury claim they filed in New York. Though the company tried to argue that they’d never done business in the state, the family was able to prove otherwise, and the judge hearing the case ruled that the case could proceed.
Man’s Mesothelioma Death Blamed on Asbestos in Work Gloves
Giancinto Pira spent years of his life working on Italian cruise ships, but despite the risks involved in working on the high seas, his family believes it was the asbestos-contaminated gloves that he wore while working that led to his death from malignant pleural mesothelioma. They filed suit against Steel Grip, the gloves’ manufacturer.
In response, the company argued that the court hearing the mesothelioma claim had no jurisdiction over them, as they had never been based in or sold in New York. Initially, that argument was quelled by Mr. Pira’s Italian-based cruise ships stopping in New York, and that he remembered having seen boxes of such gloves being loaded onto ships there. Following a hearing, further discovery was ordered.
New Ruling in Mesothelioma Claim Based on New Discovery
In revisiting their original petition to have the mesothelioma claim against them dismissed based on jurisdiction, Steel Grip again argued that they had never done business in New York. However, the victim’s family presented deposition testimony from the company’s corporate representative, Thomas A. McGurk. Mr. McGurk confirmed during his deposition that SGI had sold its products to companies in New York and that he had personal experience traveling to New York for work.
As a result, the judge hearing the case dismissed the company’s renewed motion to dismiss and allowed the case to move forward. Mr. Pira’s family will have the opportunity to have the case heard by a New York jury.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need assistance in getting justice, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
