After Illinois resident Eugene Schoepke was diagnosed with mesothelioma, he traced his asbestos exposure to the shotgun shells he’d used while hunting. After he died in March 2022, his family filed suit against the former DuPont Corporation and its subsidiaries responsible for the bullets. This week, a Delaware jury awarded his family $9 million in compensation. This is one of the largest damage awards in the state’s recent history.
Mesothelioma Trial Reveals Unusual Use of Asbestos in Shotgun Shells
Evidence presented in the mesothelioma lawsuit revealed that, unlike its competitors, the company formerly known as E.I. DuPont de Nemours incorporated asbestos into its Remington and Peters brand shotgun shells. It also showed that the risks posed by the mineral were deliberately concealed by the company. DuPont both failed to warn hunters about the ammunition’s asbestos content and actively concealed this information from consumers.
In addition to DuPont, the mesothelioma lawsuit included Sporting Goods Properties Inc., the company that currently represents Remington Arms Company, as a defendant. The victim’s family asserted that after gaining Remington control in 1933, DuPont manufactured asbestos-free shells for nearly three decades, then introduced the use of the hazardous product in 1960, just as asbestos health hazards were beginning to be recognized in industrial settings.
Asbestos-containing Ammunition Blamed for Mesothelioma Remained in Use
The mesothelioma victim’s family noted that even though the manufacturing process stopped in the 1980s, asbestos exposure continued because the company never recalled the product or issued any safety warnings or public notifications about its asbestos content. The shells’ extended shelf life meant that hunters like Schoepke continued using the contaminated ammunition.
In response to the jury’s verdict, the Schoepke’s representative said, “The family is very pleased that the word has gotten out about the asbestos shotgun shells, which is something that had never been disclosed. They wanted some accountability, and we’re pleased that a Delaware jury has given some.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
