For purposes of this post, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as G.S.
In a recent case, a Los Angeles County jury awarded more than $33 million to an 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran who developed pleural mesothelioma after years of working around asbestos-containing lighting equipment in the Hollywood film industry. The jury found the defendant fully responsible for the victim’s illness and concluded that the company acted with malice by disregarding worker safety.
A verdict like this one shows that companies can be held fully accountable for the asbestos they put into their products. Our nationwide mesothelioma lawyers help victims pursue that accountability across the country. Throneberry Law Group was founded by attorney Michael Throneberry, who began this work after his own father-in-law died of mesothelioma, and he stays personally involved in every case the firm takes on.
G.S. had spent decades behind the camera, working in studios and on sets. He was around theatrical lighting equipment produced by Mole-Richardson all the time. According to the lawsuit, the lights had asbestos-insulated cables and other parts that exposed G.S. and other crew members to dangerous fibers over many years.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive illness, and it is closely linked to asbestos exposure. The problem with this disease is that the symptoms often do not show up for decades, so people like G.S. are often diagnosed after they have retired and moved on from the work where it all started. The National Cancer Institute explains how mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated, a process that often begins long after the exposure.
In this case, G.S. argued that his repeated occupational exposure to asbestos-containing lighting products substantially contributed to his diagnosis. Although asbestos is commonly associated with construction sites and shipyards, this case highlights that workers in the entertainment and film production industries may also face significant risks when asbestos-containing materials are present in equipment used on a daily basis. Asbestos has turned up across many industries and occupations, far beyond construction and shipyards.
The trial only lasted about nine days. After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the jury took only two and a half hours to reach its decision. They unanimously sided with G.S. and found Mole-Richardson 100% liable. G.S. was granted $33,384,400 for pain, suffering, and the loss of enjoyment in life. Large verdicts and settlements are one route to compensation for mesothelioma victims.
Notably, the plaintiff had waived claims for economic damages and instead focused on the physical and emotional suffering he was enduring. The jury’s finding of “malice” was especially significant because it showed they believed the company deliberately ignored worker safety while manufacturing and supplying asbestos-contaminated products.
There was supposed to be a second phase of the case to decide whether the company should pay punitive damages as well. These damages are meant to punish especially reckless behavior and can substantially increase the value of a verdict. But before that could happen, the matter was resolved, indicating the parties potentially reached a settlement agreement.
This case is another clear warning about how harmful asbestos exposure can be, no matter the industry. Workers can unknowingly breathe in those fibers for years, and only realize it much later in life when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. It’s also proof that companies can be held accountable years after the fact if they didn’t protect their employees from known dangers. Workers diagnosed today may still be able to seek financial compensation for mesothelioma.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers at Throneberry Law Group
No industry is free of asbestos risk, and no company should escape responsibility for ignoring it. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, or a relative’s diagnosis has changed your family’s life, Throneberry Law Group can help you understand the value of your case and who may be liable.
We work with clients nationwide, assist Spanish-speaking families, and treat each case as the personal matter it is rather than one more file. You can reach us at our Phoenix, Kansas City, or Chicago offices, and there is no charge to learn your options. When you are ready to tell us your story, request a consultation through our contact form.
