Jim Smith has been awarded $1.3 million in asbestosis compensation more than 50 years after he was first exposed to the deadly fiber. He was exposed to asbestos from 1955 to 1958 during employment with GM&O Railroad Company in Illinois. The 50-year delay is due to the long incubation period inherent with asbestos cases, allowing asbestos to sit idle in the body for decades before manifesting itself in the form of asbestosis, mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
The lag in incubation time was also seen in a similar case of asbestosis experienced by John Nafziger. Nafziger’s case was tried along with Smith’s in a three-week joint trial against the same defendant, GM&O Railroad Company. He had worked for the company between 1949 and 1950, and again from 1969 to 1972. More than thirty years later he was diagnosed with asbestosis and lung cancer. He has since died from the deadly diseases. His family was awarded $384,000 in damages.
Asbestos is a strong, lightweight and heat-resistant fiber that had been used across several industries decades ago before we understood the hazards associated with its use. Our Boston mesothelioma lawyer specialists can help if you or someone you love has suffered from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. To find out whether you have a viable claim for personal injury damages or wrongful death damages, please call 617-787-3700 or email info@gilhoylaw.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with an expert Massachusetts personal injury attorney or Massachusetts wrongful death attorney.
Talk to an expert in personal injury law, call 617-787-3700, and get your free, confidential consultation with one of our highly skilled Massachusetts mesothelioma lawyers, Massachusetts personal injury attorneys or Boston, MA wrongful death lawyers.
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