A asbestos lawsuit was settled in Illinois for an undisclosed amount following a jury trial.

The trial began with opening statements on a Friday and the settlement was reached Sunday night, with jurors being dismissed on Monday morning.

Crane Co. was apparently the only remaining defendant at the time of trial, as other defendants named in the original lawsuit. The lawsuit was the first asbestos case on trial since February 2014, and in that trial, the jury ruled in favor of Crane Co.

Plaintiffs Roy and Peggy B. of Boise, Idaho filed the asbestos lawsuit in March 2015. The lawsuit claimed that Roy developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure during his job as a pipefitter.

Roy alleged he was responsible for removing and replacing gaskets and valves that contained asbestos that were manufactured by Crane Co. on hundreds of occasions throughout his pipefitter career. He also stated that he removed mud insulation also containing the toxic material from the body of Crane valves.

According to a local news outlet, the area where the trial took place is often referred to as the “nation’s asbestos docket.”

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally and is found in hill or mountain areas. Mining for asbestos was common before the dangers of the material had been identified, but there are no mines currently operational at this time.

Asbestos was used in a lot of building materials and parts for its superior insulation and fire retardant properties. If it is left undisturbed, asbestos usually does not cause any issues.

With renovations of older buildings, however, asbestos becomes disturbed and take son a more dangerous role. When the asbestos fibers become airborne, they are inhaled into the lungs and can cause damage.

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are the two most common health maladies resulting in asbestos exposure. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they actually represent two distinct conditions.

Asbestos lung cancer occurs when cancer cells grow within the lungs themselves. Mesothelioma, however, occurs when the mesothelial cells that line the chest and abdominal cavities develop into cancerous cells.

Lung cancer can be caused by asbestos and other issues, such as smoking or other toxic exposures. Mesothelioma, on the other hand, is almost exclusively a result of asbestos exposure.

Many individuals may not even connect their asbestos exposure and their current cancer because of the time that has lapsed. However, it takes decades for asbestos-related issues to show up, often 20 to 50 years.

Filing an Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit

Like Roy and Peggy, many individuals have filed an asbestos lawsuit against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products after they developed a condition like lung cancer or mesothelioma. Others have filed lawsuits against their employers for failing to protect them from such exposures.

If you or a loved one has developed asbestos lung cancer or asbestos mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may have a legal claim. An asbestos lawyer can review your case at no charge and can explain your legal options to you during a confidential consultation.