An Illinois jury has awarded the family of a man who died from lung cancer $1.4 million this week in a successful asbestos lawsuit.
According to local newspaper The Pantagraph, former railroad worker Jake Lilienthal passed away from lung cancer in 2009, decades after he was exposed to asbestos, a known carcinogen. According to his attorneys, Lilienthal worked at the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) Railroad from 1957 to 1972 in Bloomington, Ill. Lilienthal continued to be exposed to asbestos after he was transferred to another GM&O facility in Paducah, Ky.
After a two-week trial, a McLean County jury determined that the railroad knew about the hazards of asbestos exposure but failed to warn Lilienthal, according to the newspaper.
Railroad workers have historically been at high risk of asbestos exposure. Due to its insulation and fireproofing qualities, asbestos was once widely used in many railroad components, including boiler and pipe insulation, refrigeration units, pipes, and steam and hot water lines. It was also common in packing, rope, cement, and in heavy-duty floor tiles for passenger cars.
Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to a number of deadly illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Lung cancer from asbestos has the same symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis as other forms of lung cancer.
If you were exposed to asbestos at any point in your life perhaps at a former job or if you served in the military your lung cancer may be asbestos lung cancer, and you may be entitled to compensation for your illness.
An asbestos lawsuit does not involve suing your former employer, including the U.S. Navy or any of the U.S. military branches. Most asbestos lawsuits involve the manufacturers of asbestos products who acted negligently.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure. Contact Sokolove Law today to find out more about your legal options.
