A Baltimore County jury awarded $15.3 million, primarily in pain and suffering damages, to 73-year-old ex-shipbuilder George J. Linkus, Sr. who is suffering from mesothelioma as a result of his shipbuilding work that exposed him to asbestos fibers. He suffered exposure partly from a rope he used to line valves, a rope manufactured by defendant John Crane, containing between 60 to 70 percent asbestos. According to one of Linkus’s attorneys, David L. Palmer, of the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, P.C, the rope “emitted visible dust,” indicating “high levels of exposure.” Despite the fact that a large body of literature on the dangers of asbestos existed by the 1950s when Linkus worked with the rope, he was never informed about the dangers of exposure.
Palmer, along with co-counsel Andrew M. Cantor and William G. Minkin, called a series of experts including two pathologists, an industrial hygienist, and a cell biologist, constructing a case so convincing that the jury took just over half an hour to return their verdict, which included $335,000 in past medical expenses and $15 million in pain and suffering.
In addition to manufacturer John Crane, the jury found two cross-defendants co-liable for Linkus’s exposure injury, Owens-Illinois, Inc, a glass manufacturer that made thermal insulation containing asbestos, and Foster Wheeler, Inc, which made boilers containing asbestos. Linkus had already received a settlement from Owens-Illinois and from two other cross-defendants, Westinghouse Electric and International Paper Company, who were not found liable.
It is expected that John Crane will request that the award be divided among all three cross-defendants.
The life expectancy of a person diagnosed with mesothelioma is 12-18 months, although Linkus, who first suffered symptoms of mesothelioma in 2004 and was diagnosed in 2005, has fortunately outlived that period to see the verdict in his case.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.
