The long legal nightmare is over for the widow of a New York mesothelioma victim after the asbestos companies she was suing agreed to an undisclosed settlement.
Patricia A. Langevin lost her 80-year-old husband Frank in 2013. Since then, she has been pursuing justice against several companies that had provided asbestos-contaminated products to his employers. The defendants included Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. in Star Lake and Gouverneur Iron Works.
Her lawsuits, filed with the St. Lawrence County Court, blamed his malignant mesothelioma on products containing both asbestos and asbestiform fiber/talc.
Malignant mesothelioma is often diagnosed in those who worked in the steel industry, as asbestos was included in many of the products used to insulate against heat and flame.
According to Mrs. Langevin’s lawsuit, “Plaintiff, for a period of many years, was exposed to asbestos products while working in facilities or was exposed to the defendant’s products through the normal use of these products.”
Langevin claimed that each of the companies named her lawsuit had known of the dangers posed by the asbestos in their products but had done nothing to protect or warn him against exposure. She said that Mr. Langevin had been “unavoidably exposed to, inhaled and ingested” asbestos particles which led to his eventual death.
Though the trial in the case was about to proceed following three days of jury selection, a last minute settlement was reached.
There was no discussion as to the amount of compensation that Mrs. Langevin would receive, but it has been noted that in a previous case a jury had heard testimony during a three-week trial and had provided the family with a $10.55 million civil judgment.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need assistance in determining who is responsible, or any other resources, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net.
We can be reached at 1-800-692-8608, and we’re here to help.
