An Indiana jury recently awarded a man $90 million in his
mesothelioma lawsuit against four companies, ruling that three of them had conspired to conceal the dangers of the toxic substance.
According to the Pantagraph, Charles Gillenwater, 59, worked as a pipe-fitter in the 1970s at several work sites, and allegedly contracted
mesothelioma as a result of
asbestos exposure. He later sued Honeywell International Inc., Pneumo Abex, Owens-Illinois Inc. and John Crane Inc. for allegedly exposing him to the deadly material.
After deliberating for two days, the jury awarded Gillenwater $9.6 million in compensatory damages from the four defendants, according to the news source. The jury also ordered Honeywell and Pneumo Abex to pay $20 million in punitive damages each, and Owens-Illinois to pay $40 million.
The jury found that the three companies ordered to pay punitive damages had suppressed and conspired to suppress with others information about the hazards associated with
asbestos exposure. The companies were also found to have agreed not to warn employees or consumers about the health risks associated with the deadly material.
Mesothelioma sufferers are often able to attain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and the pain and suffering associated with the fatal cancer by contacting a
mesothelioma attorney.