For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as W.D.
In a recent court decision, a New York jury awarded a record-breaking verdict to a former World Trade Center (WTC) worker, Mr. W.D., and his wife, following a devastating malignant mesothelioma diagnosis. The two have been seeking compensation for the last three years, and in May, they finally emerged victorious. This case is a significant example of how mesothelioma victims can spend many years fighting for the justice and compensation they deserve. It is an example of how victims and their families can still triumph despite going up against powerful companies.
Mr. W.D., a former metal worker involved in the construction of the World Trade Center in the 1970s, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma three years ago. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Often, mesothelioma develops decades after initial asbestos exposure. In W.D.’s case, it took nearly 50 years for symptoms of the disease to emerge after his work on the WTC site. During that time, W.D. was unaware that his routine tasks, such as scraping off fireproofing in the building while installing ducts, had exposed him to the dangerous substance.