Giacinto Pira’s mesothelioma death came after years of working as a welder in New York. Among the many defendants named in the lawsuit filed by Pira’s survivors was Steel Grip, Inc., the manufacturer of the Safety Gloves that Pira wore on the job. Though the company attempted to evade facing trial in the case, the judges of the Supreme Court of New York’s Appellate Division rejected their argument pending additional investigation as to where their products had been sold.
Question of Jurisdiction Raised in Mesothelioma Claim
When filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, selection of the right legal venue is essential, because a case can be dismissed if the defending asbestos company can prove that it did not do business in the geographic area for which the specific court is responsible.
In the mesothelioma case filed by Mr. Pira’s survivors, Steel Grip, Inc. argued that they were not subject to the Supreme Court of New York’s jurisdiction because their principal place of business is in Illinois and they did not manufacture products in New York. They also pointed to the fact that they owned no property in the state.
Mesothelioma Victim’s Family Asks Judge for Time to Investigate Company’s Sales
Before mesothelioma claimed his life, Mr. Pira testified that his New York employer had purchased the company’s gloves and given them to him for use. He said that the gloves had ripped when he wore them, and that was how he’d been exposed to the asbestos they contained.
Though the company presented testimony from one of its officers about their lack of a location in New York, the mesothelioma victim’s family asked for more time for discovery to prove their case. The judges agreed.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net have resources that will help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
