Settlement for Mesothelioma Cancer From Asbestos Results in $7.5M Payment

Six companies that used to manufacture and distribute cement pipes containing asbestos have agreed to pay a California construction worker $7.5 million to settle a mesothelioma cancer lawsuit. 

Byron George and his wife, Beverly, filed a case in May of last year, after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. According to a press release issued by the couple’s attorneys, a settlement has been reached with at least six of the 14 defendants named in the lawsuit.

Defendants included in the original complaint include Parex USA, Westburne Supply, John K. Bice Co., Los Angeles Rubber, Hajoca Corp., Hanson Permanente Cement, Keenan, Properties, J-M Manufacturing, Certainteed Corp., Ferguson Enterprises, Grinnell Corp., Amcord, Ameron International and California Portland Cement Co. (Calportland). It has not been announced which six companies reached the settlement with the Georges.

Byron George, 57, worked as a construction worker in the 1970s and 1980s, installing underground water and sewer lines. He cut concrete pipes laden with asbestos with a gasoline saw as part of his job. The cutting operation allegedly released large amounts of asbestos dust, which the lawsuit claims George inhaled, resulting in mesothelioma. All of the defendants manufactured, distributed or transported the asbestos-concrete pipes.

Mesothelioma cancer, which is found in the lining of the chest and lungs, is only known to occur as a result of exposure to asbestos. The disease has a very long latency period and is often not discovered until decades after exposure, leading to a limited life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Asbestos was widely used in a variety of manufacturing and construction applications throughout the last century, with use peaking in 1973. Most uses of asbestos were banned in the mid-1980s. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos litigation is the longest running mass tort in U.S. history, with the first case filed in 1929. Over 600,000 people have filed lawsuits against 6,000 defendants after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or other asbestos-related diseases.