In the decades that contractor Frank Gondar spent doing home renovation projects, he never dreamed that his work would lead to a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. When he took his story to a New York jury and asked them to punish the companies responsible, they responded with a $22 million damages award.
Asbestos Exposure During Home Renovations Leads to Mesothelioma
According to evidence presented to the New York City Asbestos Litigation court, the mesothelioma victim held positions as a New York City police officer and a teacher but also ran his own construction business that was active from 1953 to 1973. He blamed his illness on exposure to asbestos from several products, including Burnham boilers being removed by other contractors present on the same sites he was working on.
In his testimony, the 86-year-old provided details about his mesothelioma diagnosis and his work history, accusing boiler manufacturer Burnham LLC of having failed to exercise reasonable care and to warn of the dangers posed by their product. The jury hearing the case agreed that the company had been negligent and awarded the elderly man a total of $22 million in compensation, with $12 million allocated for his past pain and suffering and $10 million assigned for the pain and suffering that he was expected to experience in the future.
Boiler Company Assessed 25% of Blame for Man’s Mesothelioma
In handing down its decision the jury found that, of all the defendants named in the mesothelioma lawsuit, Burnham LLC was liable for 25 percent of the blame for Mr. Gondar’s illness and other boiler manufacturing companies responsible for 75 percent of the blame. But Burnham LLC was required to pay all of the financial damages because of the “reckless disregard” that they’d shown for public safety.
A malignant mesothelioma diagnosis changes everything, but the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help you with the details of your new reality. To learn more about how we can help with the challenges that lay ahead, call us at 1-800-692-8608.
