After multiple attempts to evade responsibility for seaman Giacinto Pira’s death, glove manufacturer Steel Grip’s motion for summary judgment in his family’s claim against them was “denied in its entirety” by Justice Adam Silvera of the Supreme Court of New York County.
Mesothelioma Victim Was Cruise Ship Worker
Mr. Pira died of malignant mesothelioma, but before his death, he provided deposition testimony about the multiple companies whose asbestos-contaminated products he was exposed to throughout his work as a seaman for the Italian Line during the 1960s. Among the companies named was Steel Grip, Inc.
In response to being named in the mesothelioma claim, Steel Grip first unsuccessfully argued that they were not under the jurisdiction of New York courts, then after the victim recalled seeing boxes of the gloves being loaded onto the ships when they were docked in New York, pushed back against the family’s attempts to further investigate their sales records. That attempt was also denied by the judge.
Company Argues that Mesothelioma Victim Didn’t Prove Causation
In its latest attempt to deny its role in the mesothelioma victim’s death, Steel Grip argued that Mr. Pira had not established any confirmed contact with or exposure from Steel Grip manufactured gloves and that he could not establish causation of his illness from asbestos in its gloves. The judge rejected this argument.
In his decision, Justice Silvera noted that Mr. Pira had provided “clear and unequivocal” testimony identifying Steel Grip as a manufacturer of gloves that he used and offered expert testimony regarding potentially dangerous levels of asbestos in the gloves. He said that Steel Grip had failed to meet its burden to disprove the possibility of its role in his death, and therefore summary judgment must be denied. The case will move on to a jury.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can provide the resources you need. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
