$2.6 Million Verdict in Bloomington, IL Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Case

April 15, 2009 - A McLean County, Illinois jury last month awarded $2.6 million to the family of a 93-year-old Bloomington, IL woman who died of mesothelioma cancer that was derived through secondhand exposure to the asbestos-covered work clothes of her husband.

The woman died in 2006, leaving behind two sons who filed the lawsuit. She developed mesothelioma as a result of regularly doing the family laundry, including her husband’s clothing. Her husband, employed with Union Asbestos and Rubber Company (now known as UNARCO) from 1962 to 1963, transferred fibers to his home on his work clothes, resulting in the deadly secondhand asbestos exposure.

Secondhand asbestos exposure
The family’s lawyers argued that the mother of two was unaware of the dangers of secondhand asbestos exposure, and that neither she nor her husband was warned by her husband’s employer about the serious health consequences associated with asbestos exposure.

The jury deliberated only 2½ hours after a three-week trial.

Asbestos is known to cause a number of other illnesses, including lung cancer and asbestosis. Because such diseases have a latency period of 20 to 50 years, an asbestos disease will reach advanced stages of development by the time it is diagnosed.

Verdicts and Settlements
Jury verdicts in cancer cases continue to be very high. The average mesothelioma jury verdict in 2008 was approximately $7 million. The vast majority of asbestos claims still settle before trial. It takes an experienced law firm like Weitz & Luxenberg, at the forefront of asbestos litigation for 22 years, to decide whether a settlement or verdict would be in the best interests of the client.

Weitz & Luxenberg accomplished two recent record-setting verdicts. In 2007, Weitz & Luxenberg obtained a $37 million jury verdict in two asbestos cases involving claims of lung cancer. Both plaintiffs also smoked cigarettes. In 2008, Weitz & Luxenberg secured a jury verdict in a mesothelioma case for $16.25 million.

Free Mesothelioma Lawsuit Review
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos disease, contact us today for a free review of your potential lawsuit.  Our lawyers will help you seek justice, and will receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and damages.

Complete the form on this page, and a Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.