A New York jury has returned a $1.42 million wrongful death verdict against John Crane Inc. after finding the Chicago-based manufacturer of asbestos gaskets and packing material responsible for exposing a U.S. Navy veteran to asbestos prior to his death from mesothelioma.

Plaintiff Janet V. filed an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit against John Crane, alleging her husband, William, was exposed to asbestos in the company’s gaskets and packing when serving in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1971.

Attorneys for John Crane argued that William’s extensive work with their products did not play a role in causing his disease, and pointed the finger entirely at other companies. However, the upstate New York jury disagreed and found that John Crane was negligent and that their products contributed to William’s asbestos mesothelioma.

While both parties agreed that William had been exposed to asbestos from insulation supplied by third parties, jurors heard evidence that William had substantial exposure to John Crane gaskets and packing while serving in the Navy from 1967 to 1971. In addition, jurors heard evidence that John Crane had actual knowledge of the dangers of asbestos dating back to the 1940s, but had concealed and covered up those dangers.

According to the asbestos cancer lawsuit, William was healthy and active following his military service before being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2013. Despite aggressive lung surgery and chemotherapy treatment, the married father of three grown children died on Christmas Day at the age of 65, only four months after his initial mesothelioma diagnosis.

The jury awarded $250,000 for pain and suffering, about $422,000 for medical expenses, $500,000 in lost wages and $250,000 for loss of consortium.

Why is Asbestos Harmful?

Asbestos fibers produce dust. When inhaled, asbestos dust forms deposits in the lungs that can cause illnesses including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Workers exposed to asbestos from the 1940s through the 1970s continue to develop mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis after a very long latency period

Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin membranes lining organs in the chest (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Mesothelioma is closely linked with asbestos; most cases of mesothelioma result from direct exposure to asbestos at work.

Studies have found an increased risk of mesothelioma among workers who are exposed to asbestos, as well as among their family members and people living in the neighborhoods surrounding asbestos factories and mines.

Mesothelioma typically takes a long time to develop. The time between first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually 30 years or more. Unfortunately, the risk of mesothelioma does not drop with time after asbestos exposure. The risk appears to be lifelong. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma risk is not increased among smokers.

Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Many victims of asbestos cancer and their families are entitled to receive asbestos exposure compensation because manufacturers of asbestos-containing products often knew about the dangers of asbestos.

In fact, asbestos has been linked to cancer as early as the 1930s. The evidence shows that these companies did not advise workers of the potential hazards of their products, nor did they make any effort to put warning labels on the products to inform workers of the dangers of asbestos.

As a result of this failure to warn, hundreds of thousands of workers have developed asbestos-related diseases over the past century.

The Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit is Case No. 801886/2013, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Eighth Judicial District.