Weitz & Luxenberg reports how asbestos exposure in the workplace resulted in the death of Merlin Oslen

Unlike Merlin Oslen, Steve McQueen, Warren Zevon and other celebrities who died from their exposure to asbestos, the clients represented by Weitz & Luxenberg were ordinary people. They never lived a particularly glamorous life and many of them were dependent on their paychecks so that they could support themselves and their families. They never imagined that their handling of asbestos in the workplace would portend serious health consequences years into the future. 

The following article details Oslen’s unfortunate case and proves that asbestos could affect people indiscriminately. For over two decades, Weitz & Luxenberg has been a fierce advocate for those who are sick with an asbestos related disease and have helped them secure compensation.  If you would like to know your legal options, please do not hesitate to contact our firm.

Merlin Oslen sued NBC and other companies for his exposure to asbestos while working

Merlin Oslen, a former football player for the Los Angeles Rams, sportscaster, and star on the popular television sitcom Little House on the Prairie, filed a lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court against NBC Studios and a number of asbestos companies for negligently exposing him to asbestos. In July 2009, Oslen was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which Oslen himself described as a “vicious, painful and invariably fatal malignancy.” (TMZ)

Mesothelioma, a rare, fatal form of cancer is one of the most common diseases associated with asbestos exposure. Most of those who develop it die within a year after diagnosis, even if they receive medical treatments such as chemotherapy. The New York Times reported that Oslen himself became an asbestos casualty on March 11^th, 2010.

How was Oslen Exposed to asbestos?

Oslen claimed that he was exposed to asbestos at a number of points in his life, starting from the age of ten or eleven. “During the summers of his high school and college years, Olsen worked full days in construction and manual labor jobs where he was exposed to asbestos.” (TMZ) The exposure was furthered “when Olsen was around workers who were handling drywall patching compounds.”  

During his time as an actor and sports commentator for “NBC, NBC Universal and 20^thCentury Fox, Oslen claimed he was improperly exposed to asbestos, which lead to his mesothelioma.”  (Southern California Public Radio)

The nature of Oslen’s exposure was deeply complex. “Because of his varied work history and the numerous asbestos products to which he was alleged to have been exposed,” (TMZ) numerous manufacturers of asbestos products were among those sued. Some of them included:

• Bondex International Inc.
• Garlock Sealing Technologies L.L.C
• Bestwall Gypsum Company
• Crane CO.
• Kelly Moore Paint Company
• Kentile Floors

On March 18^th, 2010, Southern California Radio reported that shortly after Oslen’s death, his widow, Susan Oslen was legally granted permission to continue through with the pending lawsuit.

Were you exposed to asbestos in the workplace and become with an asbestos related disease? Weitz & Luxenberg is available to help you

Weitz & Luxenberg understands how widespread the asbestos problem is and the havoc it had caused countless people across the country and around the world. It is unfortunate that even though the dangers of asbestos have been known in the United States since at least the Industrial Revolution, it continued to be used in multiple industries. Such carelessness should not be ignored.

Our firm has a team of skilled attorneys with a wealth of knowledge concerning asbestos-related ailments. To get started, simply fill out the form on this page. A representative from our firm will

get in touch with shortly you for your free legal consultation. There is no cost unless we secure a verdict or settlement for you.

TMZ: www.tmz.com/2009/12/31/
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The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/sports/football/12olsen.html

Southern California Public Radio: www.scpr.org/news/2010/03/18/judge-rules-merlin-olsens-widow-can-continue-asbes/