Billy Dickson was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after decades of working for Bell Helicopter. The retired mechanical engineer blamed asbestos in the parts he worked with for his illness and filed suit against the company. Though Mr. Dickson died before his case was heard, a Dallas, Texas, jury awarded the victim’s family $8.8 million in damages.
Mechanical Engineer’s Mesothelioma Blamed on Asbestos in Helicopter Parts
According to deposition testimony given before his death, the mesothelioma victim had worked for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. from 1962 until his retirement in 1999. He pointed specifically to work he did between 1962 and 1973, designing enclosures for heat-testing helicopter components used in military helicopters during the Vietnam War. He testified that the enclosures used asbestos insulation boards.
Though Bell Helicopter argued that the mesothelioma victim’s family should be limited to filing a workers’ compensation claim, the family asserted that the company had been grossly negligent. They submitted evidence showing that the company had known by 1955 that asbestos exposure could result in fatal diseases but had done nothing to protect workers from asbestos exposure until 1973 when they started monitoring the air in their workplace.
Asbestos Company’s Argument Against Mesothelioma Liability Fails to Convince Jury
The helicopter company’s attorneys attempted to lay blame for Mr. Dickson’s mesothelioma on asbestos exposure from other employers, but the judge ruled against this evidence. The company also argued that the asbestos levels were safe. Despite their claims, the jury found clear and convincing evidence that Mr. Dickson’s illness was the result of the company’s gross negligence.
The mesothelioma victim’s family was awarded $8.8 million, broken down into $1 million in actual damages and punitive damages of $7.8 million, with 55 percent of the punitive damages given to Mr. Dickson’s widow and 15 percent to each of his adult children.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
