Mesothelioma Lawsuit Provides $2.6 Million in Compensation

A recently settled asbestos case in Illinois has awarded $2.6 million to the family of a woman who passed away from mesothelioma. Jean Holmes died in April of 2006 at the age of 93 and the lawsuit was filed by her two sons, Roger and John Holmes.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. In the majority of cases, the disease occurs in the form of pleural mesothelioma and affects the lining of the lungs.

One of the unfortunate side effects of this disease is that symptoms do not typically arise until twenty to fifty years after the initial asbestos exposure, causing most patients to be diagnosed during the latest stages of development.

According to court documents, Jean Holmes experienced secondhand asbestos exposure after laundering her husband’s work clothes. Donald Holmes worked for Union Asbestos and Rubber Company, which is now known as UNARCO, between 1962 and 1963.

The case lasted for three weeks until the McLean County, Illinois jury ruled in favor of Jean Holmes and her two sons. Lawyers stated Holmes was unaware about the dangers associated with asbestos exposure and that her husband was never warned about the potential health hazard.

The jury only took two and a half hours to determine that Holmes’ asbestos-related disease was caused by the companies named in the suit.

The lawyers claimed that defendants Pneumo Abex LLC and Honeywell International Inc. conspired with additional companies to suppress information concerning the hazards of asbestos. Other companies that were listed included UNARCO, Johns-Manville, Raybestos-Manhattan, Owens-Illinois, Owens Corning and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Those who file an asbestos-related lawsuit often seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and any pain or suffering that occurred. However, as in the case of Jean Holmes, family members can also file a lawsuit for the wrongful death of a loved one.

For more information on mesothelioma and compensation, please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 9th, 2009 at 2:26 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Asbestos Litigation, Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.