In legal news, man who developed asbestos related disease files lawsuit

In recent news, a man who developed an asbestos related disease has filed suit against the asbestos companies that exposed him to asbestos fibers during his employment as a pipefitter, welder, and insulator at the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in Harrison County from approximately 1974 to 1996.

On March 28, 2011, Billy F. Wall and his wife, Sandra, filed a suit against A.W. Chesterton Co., Cleaver-Brooks Co. Inc., Goulds Pumps Inc., Shreveport Rubber & Gasket and J. Graves Insulation Co. Inc., claiming he was exposed to airborne asbestos fibers during his which resulted in his diagnosis of asbestos-related disease. and mild interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Weitz & Luxenberg shares this story to show that asbestos exposure, sadly, continued into the 1970s and 1980s. As people who were exposed to asbestos in the 1970s and 1980s grow older, more will develop asbestos-related diseases from occupational exposure that took place years ago. Just because you were exposed years ago, it does not mean that it is too late to take legal action.

When the doctor gives the bad news that you have developed an asbestos-related disease

Early in 2011, Mr. Wall was diagnosed with asbestos-related pleural disease and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Mr. Wall says he was exposed to asbestos fibers on a daily basis as his job duties required him to remove asbestos insulation from pipes, and to install new asbestos insulation.

According to the allegations in Mr. and Mrs. Wall's lawsuit, the asbestos, asbestos fibers and asbestos-containing products/ asbestos-containing materials were manufactured, distributed and supplied by the J. Graves Insulation Co., A.W. Chesterton Co. and Shreveport Rubber & Gasket.

The defendants are accused of “failing to warn of the dangers regarding exposure to asbestos, failing to test their products, failing to instruct consumers of proper safety measures to reduce or eliminate exposure and failing to properly package their products so that all warnings and instructions were prominently displayed.” (http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/234519-
ammunitions-plant-employee-sues-over-asbestos-exposure)

"Billy F. Wall was unaware of and completely innocent of the wrongful conduct of the Defendants and ignorant of the dangers and hazards to which he was exposed," the lawsuit states. Mr. Wall is seeking damages for medical expenses, mental anguish, impairment, loss of enjoyment, physical pain and suffering, disfigurement and court costs. (SE Texas Record)

Mrs. Wall is seeking damages for mental anguish and “loss of consortium,” which means the loss of companionship. When a spouse becomes ill, the relationship can change from one of mutual support to one of care-taking, and this often makes it hard for the healthy spouse to work full-time, and to live normally. When one person in a family becomes ill, the whole family suffers.

Helpful news: if you developed an asbestos-related disease, you do not have to bear the burden alone

A chronic, incurable disease like pulmonary fibrosis is hard on a family, emotionally and financially. While there is little “good news” to be had when it comes to asbestos related diseases, it is helpful to know that you do not have to bear the financial burden of a chronic asbestos-related disease alone. You can seek just compensation from the asbestos manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers that exposed you to asbestos, as Mr. and Mrs. Wall did.

If you have newly developed an asbestos-related disease and would like to know more about your legal options, call Weitz & Luxenberg today, or fill out a form for a free legal consultation.

Acknowledgments:
http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/
234519-ammunitions-plant-employee-sues-over-asbestos-exposure