Irma Lee Lagrange was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after years of having laundered her husband Allen’s work clothes. Before her death, she filed suit against multiple companies seeking compensation for the harm she suffered, but her case was temporarily stopped in light of one of the defendants’ bankruptcy filing.
Company Named in Mesothelioma Claim Files for Bankruptcy
Mrs. LaGrange’s mesothelioma lawsuit named several defendants, including Huntington Ingalls Incorporated, the successor to the Avondale shipyard where her husband worked from 1973 until 1996. The suit points to the asbestos-contaminated dust that accumulated on Mr. LaGrange’s work clothes when he worked as a laborer, welder, and pipefitter, and to Mrs. LaGrange’s years of inhaling that dust when she laundered her husband’s clothes.
In addition to Avondale, Mrs. LaGrange’s lawsuit names the subcontractor Hopeman Brothers, Inc. as a defendant. The case was removed to federal court based on federal officer jurisdiction, and five months later, mesothelioma claimed Mrs. LaGrange’s life. The family moved to substitute her surviving children as plaintiffs, and shortly after, Hopeman filed notice of a petition of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The federal court then stayed the lawsuit against Hopeman until their bankruptcy case was resolved.
Co-Defendants in Mesothelioma Claim Argue for Stay to Apply to All Parties
After the mesothelioma claim against Hopeman was ordered stayed, the other named defendants argued that the case should be stayed in its entirety for a reasonable period to ensure parity.
Though the family of the mesothelioma victim objected to the temporary halt to their legal process, the judge decided that the balance of party interests favors a brief stay to permit the bankruptcy court to determine the status of the co-defendants. This will avoid a clear inequity and promote judicial economy. The case will restart in March 2025.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the road to justice can be long. For information on what you can expect from the legal process, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
