Plumber’s Mesothelioma Trial Ends with $5 Million Jury Award

Robert Swanson spent much of his life working with asbestos-contaminated products during his years as a plumber, and that constant exposure to the carcinogenic material led to his diagnosis with malignant mesothelioma in 2014. In 2015 he filed suit against several different defendants, and recently won over $5 million from boiler manufacturer Marley-Wylain Company.

Mesothelioma Trial Details Decades of Asbestos Exposure

As is true of so many mesothelioma victims, Mr. Swanson’s first exposure to asbestos came after he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 17^th birthday. During a two-year naval assignment that started in 1966 he lived aboard the U.S.S. Theodore E. Chandler, and after his discharge he began working as a plumber in early 1969. His duties included installing and servicing heating and plumbing systems in both new construction and existing homes. Much of his work included installing and maintaining Weil-McLain boilers which were factory-assembled. His testimony included a description of the asbestos that the company had supplied in a powder form to be mixed with water to create a sealing paste for the boiler’s exhaust pipe.

Swanson also described the asbestos he was exposed to when removing the boiler’s gaskets, indicating that he had inhaled significant amounts of the asbestos dust associated with malignant mesothelioma. He also conceded that he had been exposed to asbestos from other boilers through his years of working as a plumber, and from being around drywallers on job sites. 

Plumber Died of Mesothelioma Before Court Decision

Mr. Swanson was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2014 and filed his lawsuit against the company in 2015. When he died in 2016 his son Shawn amended the complaint to a wrongful death claim, and a jury heard the case in 2018.  After all evidence was presented the jury agreed that the boiler manufacturer had been negligent and that their negligence was the proximate cause of Mr. Swanson’s death. The ordered the boiler manufacturer to pay Swanson’s survivors damages totaling $5,489,688.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need information about your eligibility to seek justice, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today. We can be reached at 1-800-692-8608.a

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri