Last May, A Connecticut jury ordered talc supplier R. T. Vanderbilt to pay $15 million to the family of mesothelioma victim Nicholas Barone after they found him liable for the man’s death. This week, the judge overseeing the case added another $7.5 million in punitive damages to the amount the company owes.
Veteran’s Mesothelioma Blamed on Asbestos Exposure at Plastics Facility
The testimony presented during the mesothelioma trial included evidence that Barone, a graduate of West Point and Army veteran, had died of the rare asbestos-related disease after having worked at a General Electric plastics plant that R. T. Vanderbilt’s predecessor, International Talc, had sold to the company. Though the company had sought dismissal of the claim against it, the jury found them liable as successor in interest because Vanderbilt had continued the product line after its purchase.
The mesothelioma victim had worked for General Electric in the 1960s, at the time that the plant purchased talc from Vanderbilt’s predecessor. The carcinogenic material was dumped into hoppers as part of the manufacturing process. In the ruling handed down this week, Superior Court Judge William F. Clark agreed with Mr. Barone’s family that the company should also be subject to punitive damages based on their continued conduct.
Damages Award Meant as Punishment in Mesothelioma Case
According to the family/s representative, “Vanderbilt knowingly exposed thousands of Americans to asbestos through their industrial products, for decades…. We are pleased that the court recognized the need for significant punitive damages that reflect the severity of Vanderbilt’s continued conduct.”
The combined value of the compensatory damages assigned by the mesothelioma jury and the punitive damages assigned by the judge total $22.5 million for the victim’s family. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after another company’s negligent actions, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
