An Ohio jury ruled in favor of a man who developed mesothelioma from the asbestos he was exposed to as a child. The jury awarded $27.5 million in damages to the plaintiff and his wife.

John Panza and his wife Jane filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against Kelsy-Hayes Co., formerly known as National Friction Products, after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. As a child, his father had unknowingly brought home asbestos fibers from his work, exposing the entire family to the extreme health hazard the substances presented.

His father worked at Eaton Airflex Brake Company for 31 years. According to the asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit, National Friction Products had manufactured the brakes the plaintiff’s father worked on. The plaintiff’s father died of lung cancer in 1994. Panza was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2012. The court awarded the plaintiff $27.5 million in damages, including $515,000 in economic damages, $12 million in non-economic damages, and $15 million to his wife for loss of consortium. The verdict is believed to be the largest of its kind in the state history of Ohio.

While the company is expected to appeal this decision, it is most likely that most other courts will also find the defendant company responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries. While the title of the company changed, and the plaintiff’s childhood has long passed, the distinct connection between asbestos and mesothelioma is indisputable. Mesothelioma is specially caused by asbestos exposure. No other scientific or environmental causes have been determined to inflict this condition.

There have been asbestos exposure lawsuits brought forward regarding second-hand exposure with spouses, children and other family members. These affected parties allege that they developed mesothelioma from breathing the asbestos fibers brought home in the hair or clothing of the exposed individuals.

Overview of Asbestos Complications

Asbestos litigation is the longest-running mass torts in the history of the United States, garnering more than 600,000 plaintiffs against more than 6,000 defendants. The plaintiffs allege that they were diagnosed with either lung or mesothelioma cancer after being exposed to asbestos by the defendants.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral found that can be as much as 700 times thinner than a human hair. This fiber is resistant against fire and chemical contamination. It was often used as an insulator in building projects, and used in a variety of construction materials until the 1980s. Generally, any of the following materials installed before 1981 are presumed to contain asbestos, including:

• Sprayed on fire proofing and insulation in buildings
• Insulation for pipes and boilers
• Wall and ceiling insulation
• Ceiling tiles
• Floor tiles
• Putties, caulks, and cements (such as in chemical carrying cement pipes)
• Roofing shingles
• Siding shingles on old residential buildings
• Wall and ceiling texture in older buildings and homes
• Joint compound in older buildings and homes
• Plasters
• Brake linings and clutch pads

The three primary health concerns specifically caused from asbestos exposure are:

• Asbestosis: A serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. The inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring in the lung tissue.
• Lung cancer: Largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. The most common symptoms are coughing and a breathing-rate change.
• Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer that most often occurs in the membrane lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and (rarely) heart. This sickness is found to be specifically linked to asbestos exposure.

As of now, companies are required by law to protect their employees and environment if dealing with potential asbestos exposure. Any procedure mishaps or deviations result in major fines, and possible business shutdown.