For years, Akron’s tire and rubber company workers have been diagnosed with a variety of asbestos-related diseases, including malignant mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and asbestosis. They traced their illnesses back to multiple sources, including asbestos-contaminated talc that rubber companies used to keep the rubber from sticking to other rubber, or to their equipment. Following years of accusations and litigation, a talc company has agreed to a $72.5 million settlement with affected workers.
Mesothelioma Victims Accuse Talc Company of Knowledge of Risk
Often referred to as the “Rubber Capital of the World,” Akron, Ohio is home to Goodyear Tire & Rubber and many other rubber companies. Many of those companies’ workers have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Seeking justice, they investigated and then pursued justice against several asbestos companies, including a Delaware company called Eastern Magnesia Talc (Emtal) that provided talc to Akron rubber companies from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Emtal denied responsibility for the workers’ mesothelioma, arguing that its talc was not contaminated with asbestos. But the discovery process revealed that the company had in fact been aware of the presence of asbestos for years and had worked to keep this information hidden from its customers, as well as from the victims.
Many Rubber Company Workers Have Died of Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Diseases
After years of litigation and negotiation, both parties have agreed to a $72.5 million settlement that will pay mesothelioma victims, their survivors, and others affected by asbestos-related diseases with payments. The payment amounts will be determined by the severity of the conditions each victim suffered, with mesothelioma victims receiving the largest sums, estimated at approximately $300,000 each.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, justice is available. For more information, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
