When Chicago-area resident Cipriano Ramirez was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, he traced his asbestos exposure back to the 1980s, when he worked as a janitor at Avon Product’s Morton Grove, Illinois factory. He and his family filed suit against the company for negligently exposing him to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder, and last week a jury ordered the company to pay $24.4 million in damages.
Court Expedites Lawsuit Filed by Janitor Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Mr. Ramirez and his wife Maria filed their suit against Avon in April 2023, three months after he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Based on his diminished life expectancy, they requested and were granted an expedited trial date. The couple’s claims for personal injury and loss of consortium alleged that he was exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc during his employment and also from his use of the company’s personal care products.
The mesothelioma trial date was set for March 19, 2024, but was slightly delayed when Avon requested and was granted a motion to add third-party claims against Mr. Ramirez’ other employers, though that decision was accompanied by the claims being severed and stayed so that the trial could move forward. Avon appealed that decision and the case went forward, with the jury deciding that Avon was responsible for his fatal illness.
$24.4 Million Verdict Awarded to Janitor with Mesothelioma
A Chicago jury listened to over a month of testimony and evidence in the mesothelioma trial, and in the end, they awarded the family $24.4 million in damages. Speaking on behalf of the family, a representative said, “After carefully reviewing the facts of the case, the jury rejected Avon’s reprehensible attempts to impugn the dignity and integrity of Cipriano Ramirez and found that Avon was responsible for his cancer diagnosis…. Mr. Ramirez dedicated his life to working hard for his family. He should be enjoying retirement but has been forced to spend his time fighting a cancer that could have been prevented.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
