A Maryland court recently upheld a $7.2 million verdict awarded by a Baltimore City Circuit Court to a couple suing the Wallace and Gale Asbestos Settlement Trust fund regarding the husband’s asbestos exposure and development of pleural mesothelioma. 

Plaintiffs William and Kathleen B. claim that William’s diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma, or lung cancer, stemmed from his asbestos exposure to insulation products. The couple is set to receive payment from the asbestos settlement trust fund. 

William, a steamfitter, allegedly spent around three months working in a high school boiler room where he came in contact with asbestos materials produced by Wallace & Gale, a local insulation contractor. Wallace & Gale went bankrupt in 1984, and in 2002 the Wallace and Gale Asbestos Settlement Trust fund was established to compensate victims who had been injured due to the insulation products.

William says he worked in the boiler room of Loch Raven High School in Baltimore in the winter and early spring of 1972. According to the lawsuit, William was exposed to a “snow storm” of dust when cutting and stacking the insulation products. After his diagnosis of mesothelioma in 2016, William and Kathleen filed their suit against the Wallace and Gale Asbestos Settlement Trust fund.

Although a jury initially ruled that the trust was responsible for William’s injuries, the trust filed an appeal citing various legal technicalities in an attempt to overturn the ruling. The appeal was denied, and the original ruling has been upheld.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, or the thin layer of tissue that covers the internal organs. Although there are some treatments for mesothelioma, for most patients it is an incurable and deadly condition. Mesothelioma usually occurs in the tissue surrounding the lungs. This is called pleural mesothelioma. It can also occur in the abdomen, around the heart, or around the testicles.Mesothelioma can lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing chest pain, and pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the chest that compresses the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Living with someone who is frequently exposed to asbestos also increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, as does having a family history of mesothelioma.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral. As it is strong and heat resistant, it is often used in insulation product, flooring, and shingles. When asbestos breaks or crumbles, the resulting dust may be accidentally inhaled or swallowed. The inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lungs or stomach, where they irritate the internal organs. While it is not understood exactly how mesothelioma happens, it is believed that this irritation may lead to its development.Asbestos is often found in older buildings. Although federal regulations set in place in the 1970s have limited the use of asbestos in building materials, older buildings including schools are not required to remove asbestos that is already there unless it has been damaged.If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos, you may qualify to join an
asbestos settlement trust fund investigation and pursue compensation for your injuries.