Robert Stephen Sentilles is pursuing justice against multiple companies that he blames for his malignant mesothelioma. In his lawsuit, which points primarily to his former employer, Avondale Shipyards, he cites numerous products made with the toxic material that he worked with over the years.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Includes Claims of Secondary Exposure to Asbestos.
Mr. Sentilles has been battling the rare, asbestos-related disease since October 2020. After his diagnosis was confirmed, he filed a lawsuit asserting negligence and strict liability against several defendants, including Avondale Shipyard. His claim details his work over more than 30 years but also points to secondary exposure to asbestos that occurred in 1969 when he was living with his brother, Tom Sentilles.
According to the mesothelioma victim, much of his asbestos exposure occurred “while living with, encountering, and riding to and from work with Tom while he was employed by Avondale.” Mr. Sentilles also said he was exposed to the toxic material while he worked in the shipyard’s insulation job, sewing asbestos blankets that were installed on vessels under construction in the shipyard.
Shipyard Construction Included Government Vessels
As it has done in previous mesothelioma claims against it, the shipyard is defending itself against the victim’s claims by arguing that it was building vessels for the U.S. government in 1969 and that it is protected by derivative sovereign immunity and government contractor immunity.
This is a question that will be decided by the jury, who will hear testimony from an expert witness for the shipyard who will say that Avondale was required to comply with the government’s specifications and that the shipyard could not have had more knowledge of the hazards of asbestos than the government did. The victim will present his own witness, who will argue that Avondale was well aware of the dangers of asbestos but chose not to issue any warnings, putting its profits over the health of the people it employed.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. For more information, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
