Rare Case of Testicular Mesothelioma Leads to $25 Million Jury Award

Malignant mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of cancer, and  testicular mesothelioma is rarer still. Like other forms of mesothelioma, it is caused by exposure to asbestos. Though a company accused of responsibility for a former oil refinery worker’s testicular cancer attempted to contest this known fact, a California jury rejected their argument and awarded him and his wife $25 million in compensatory damages.

Builder accused of irresponsible conduct that put lives at risk

The case involved Houshang and Soraya Sabetian, a California couple who filed a negligence lawsuit against Fluor Enterprises Inc. and Middle East Fluor, as well as the National Iranian Oil Company and other defendants after Houshang was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Houshang had worked at a number of different oil refineries in Ian between 1959 and 1979.  Fluor and its subsidiaries were responsible for the construction of those refineries, and according to evidence presented at trial they violated their own internal standards for safety in the process of completing those projects, cutting many corners and putting Sabetian at risk of exposure to asbestos. A representative for the Sabetian family said that he was not alone, and that the case “represents the latest in a long line of Iranian Refinery workers fallen victim to Fluor’s irresponsible conduct overseas.”

There are many different kinds of malignant mesothelioma

Though most mesothelioma victims are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs and thoracic cavity, there are other forms of the disease, including peritoneal mesothelioma which impacts the mesothelial lining of the abdominal cavity, pericardial mesothelioma which impacts the lining material around the heart, and the type of mesothelioma which Sabetian was diagnosed with, which affects the lining of the testes.

Upon hearing of the pain and suffering that testicular mesothelioma had inflicted on Housang Sabetian, the jury awarded him $14 million for his past and future pain and suffering and $11 million to his wife. They assigned him no responsibility for his own illness, 20% of liability to the National Iranian Oil Company, and the remainder of the liability being assigned to Fluor.

Asbestos causes heartache in many different ways, with mesothelioma being among the most deadly illnesses that the carcinogenic material causes. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and need information on the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net at 1-800-692-8608.

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