Exxon Asbestos Verdict: $25M to Virginia Man
A Virginia jury awarded a man $25 million last week in a suit he brought against Exxon alleging that the company's practices had caused him unnecessary exposure to asbestos.
The Exxon asbestos suit is just one in a line of thousands of lawsuits brought against employers every year. However, the case is particularly notable for two reasons.
Not only was is it one of the largest verdicts in state history, but evidence presented at trial demonstrated just how much Exxon, and probably other employers, knew about asbestos in the 1930s.
Bert Minton was a repair supervisor at Newport News Shipbuilding throughout the 1960s and '70s. During that time, he helped repair 17 Exxon oil tankers. Eventually, that work would cause him to contract mesothelioma, a direct result of his exposure to asbestos.
Normally, asbestos suits are filed against the makers of ship parts, not ship owners, explains The Baltimore Sun. But Minton had some interesting evidence against Exxon, which is why he sued the company.
Turns out that Exxon asbestos rules existed way back in 1937. The company knew about asbestos risks and had created protective rules for its refineries, reports CNBC. However, it failed to tell shipyard workers.
Unfortunately for Mr. Minton, the Exxon asbestos verdict has come too late. His life expectancy is hovering around two years, reports The Baltimore Sun.
You don't have to meet the same fate.
After you see your doctor, if you have any potential claims regarding mesothelmia, it's time to call an attorney. Like Bert Minton, you may be entitled to compensation to help you deal with your injuries.
Related Resources:
- Va man wins $25 million in lawsuit against Exxon (Associated Press)
- Mesothelioma Overview (FindLaw)
- Personal Injury Law: The Basics (FindLaw)
- Mesothelioma in Women: Asbestos Exposure? (FindLaw's Injured)
- Montana Mesothelioma Case to Settle for $43M? (FindLaw's Injured)