A jury in Los Angeles has decided that the defendant in an asbestos trial must award $7 million to a man who was diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma and his wife of 50 years.

The jury in the asbestos trial found the defendants partially liable for the man’s mesothelioma and related injuries.

The defendant in the case, Rich-Tex Inc., a former manufacturer of products containing asbestos, was found to have been partly responsible for Plaintiff Peter L.’s mesothelioma.

The jury in the asbestos trial decided that Rich-Tex was 25% responsible for Peter’s medical condition.

Specifically, it was determined in the asbestos trial that Peter was exposed to asbestos that was in a joint compound used for drywall work made by Rich-Tex.

The jury decided that Rich-Tex should have known that their joint compound that contained asbestos was dangerous, and the company was negligent in its failure to warn consumers about the potential safety hazards related to the asbestos.

Peter emigrated from Italy to the United States in the 1960s as a teenager. His family settled in San Francisco and Peter later began working in homes doing remodeling projects, where he came into contact with products that contained asbestos.

Later, Peter attended college and became a banker, but continued to work on home remodeling in his spare time on both his own residence as well as other properties that he owned and rented out.

Peter was active and athletic until just last fall when he started experiencing symptoms related to mesothelioma while he was playing tennis.

He noticed the symptoms in September, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October and by December had surgery and began radiation treatments.

As a result, he had to quit his part-time management position at the tennis/swim club where he worked and had to give up his hobby in real estate.

The verdict in the asbestos trial was reached after three months of trial proceedings and six days of deliberation.

Asbestos Cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer in the mesothelial lining of the body which encases the lungs and abdominal cavity. Nearly all cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. It is known for its fireproofing and insulative properties, and was used extensively in construction and automotive industries before its dangers were fully known.

Left alone, asbestos is mostly an inert material, but when disturbed, the fibers of asbestos can be inhaled and cause damage. In addition to mesothelioma, lung cancer is also a commonly diagnosed condition for those who have been exposed to asbestos.

It typically takes decades for individuals to develop mesothelioma after they have been exposed to asbestos, as it is a slow-growing cancer. There is no cure for mesothelioma, and generic cancer treatments are typically used, but oftentimes are not as successful in the disease’s treatment.

The Asbestos Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. JCCP4674/BC604809, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.